Denver is turning up the heat on water‑guzzling lawns and wants residents and developers in the room while it does it. The city is inviting the public to a free Resilient Landscapes symposium on Saturday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Confluence Theater on the CSU Spur campus, where officials will walk through a proposed overhaul of Denver’s landscaping rules.
The draft changes would curb decorative, water‑hungry turf and push new development toward native plants, more trees and pollinator‑friendly designs. Attendees can snag free seeds, learn how to tap into rebates and chat directly with agency experts during an open house and a round of short expert talks.
State Law Pushed the Change
Colorado lawmakers passed SB24‑005 in 2024, requiring local governments to prohibit new non‑functional turf, artificial turf and certain invasive plants on many commercial, institutional and transportation projects beginning Jan. 1, according to the Colorado General Assembly. That statewide rule is the backdrop for Denver’s push to rewrite local landscape rules and bring city code into compliance.
What the Draft Rules Would Cover
Under the Denver Resilient Landscapes project, staff says the Denver Zoning Code would be updated to prioritize climate‑resilient plantings, add new tree preservation standards and set limits on non‑functional turf for applicable projects. The proposal would apply to new development and some redevelopment only and would not force homeowners or existing businesses to rip out current landscaping, according to the City and County of Denver.
Councilmember Paul Kashmann is sponsoring the effort, and city planners expect a City Council review later this year, the city says.
What to Expect at the April 25 Symposium
The free event is set up as part crash course, part resource fair. Attendees can wander a resource open house with agency tables, catch short expert talks, and fuel up on coffee and brunch while they collect giveaways like seeds and rebate information. Organizers say the Office of Climate Action and Denver Parks will also spotlight reduced‑cost or free tree programs…