The Jackson Farm II HOA community in Centennial, Colorado has turned unused grassy common areas into beautiful waterwise landscapes.
Many of us know that even the smallest waterwise landscaping projects can be challenging. So, what happens when Homeowners Associations (HOAs) decide they’re ready to replace thousands of square feet of grass in their common areas? It can seem daunting, but Resource Central developed the HOA Turf Conversion Consultation program to help!
Designed to guide HOA communities through a complete waterwise landscape transformation, this program provides hands-on support and in-depth resources throughout the process, including grant funding assistance for successfully completed projects.
Vernita and Claudia, two participants in the program and members of the Jackson Farm II HOA board, were gracious enough to talk about their experience now that they’ve completed two separate waterwise landscaping projects. We focused on their most recent 14,450-square-foot project, replacing grass with a combination of native grass and waterwise perennials.
Their motivation was simple: “We wanted to cut our water bill because every year it was more and more and more. And the fact we were watering grass for what reason?” They described the grass as an obvious example of non-functional turf, meaning it doesn’t serve a purpose past aesthetics. “It’s just something we’re observing rather than using.”
No community members used the grass to walk through, play on, or bring their dogs to. Claudia and Vernita felt that was a shame when water is such a precious resource. “We’re just looking at it, watering it, and maintaining it, and it’s costing us. And we know that water is essential. But I want water to drink, not to keep my grass green.”
Claudia informed us they are already seeing reductions in their water use and water bill. This year’s project is still too recent to see savings from, having only been completed in August. However, their first waterwise transformation from 2024 cut the water use in that area by more than half – a thrilling result to bring back to their neighbors. “We did this [project], and we’re saving [money], so we have something to show for it. Yeah, it’s paying dividends.”
Beyond the water savings, the projects are bringing new life and beauty into the community. They told us the landscaping had hardly been altered since the 1970s, meaning it was time to try something new. “We’re changing because the neighborhood is changing.”
They love the added textures and colors that the new landscaping brings to their community, especially how the native blue grama grass (Bouteloua gracilis) flows in the wind next to white rocks and colorful flowers. “It can take your eyes away from the rocks, and you just see the movement and then color. I just can’t wait for next year when it grows more.”
When we spoke, two things stuck out as key to completing their projects. For one, community support was a must! While it takes passionate folks like Claudia and Vernita to get things started, it’s ultimately a shared community project that everyone needs to feel connected to. “Let them be involved. It’s their home too, right?”
The other key is finding the right partners for the project. “The ones who want to do the same thing – save water. It makes the project better, you know? Because the more expertise you have moving forward, and the more people who are willing to do the work the right way, I think it makes your project easier.”
Our team has been grateful to be one such partner for the Jackson Farm II HOA. When asked about our HOA Turf Conversion Consultation program, Claudia and Vernita deeply appreciated how the program’s manager supported them with research and resources to guide informed choices. “She helped us make better decisions because we have better products in front of us.”
In addition to finding the HOA Turf Conversion Consultation program a big help, Vernita sought out funding from the City of Centennial and their water provider, East Cherry Creek Valley Water and Sanitation District. That financial support made their projects that much easier to complete.
While the projects haven’t been without their pain points – vetting landscapers, unexpected utility work, and of course, the drought – Vernita and Claudia see a bright future, and even more landscaping projects on the horizon!
Thanks for tuning in! ‘Til next time.
At Resource Central, we believe that we can build a resilient and waterwise Colorado together through local action on a massive scale.
Interested in a project like this in your community? Visit https://resourcecentral.org/hoa/turfconversion/ to learn more and to see if your community qualifies to participate in the HOA Turf Conversion Consultation program. Applications for 2027 projects are now open, with limited availability in select Colorado communities.
We also offer a Water Assessment Program to help large properties identify improvement opportunities in their water use.
