Most Colorado Springs lawns are cool-season Kentucky bluegrass or tall fescue, which grow most in spring and fall and are fertilized mainly from late summer into fall. Native buffalograss and blue grama need much less water and feeding. Work within your water provider's rules, aerate compacted soil, and mow on the tall side.
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Most lawns in Colorado Springs are cool-season grasses, usually Kentucky bluegrass, sometimes blended with perennial ryegrass or replaced by tall fescue. A growing number of homeowners are switching sunny areas to native warm-season grasses such as buffalograss and blue grama. The right maintenance program depends on which grass you have and how much water you can give it under local watering rules.
Know your grass
- Kentucky bluegrass: the classic Front Range lawn. Soft, dense and able to recover from wear, but it needs the most water of the common options and goes dormant and tan in a long dry spell.
- Tall fescue: a cool-season bunch grass with deeper roots than bluegrass in many soils. It tolerates some drought and shade but doesn't spread well, so thin spots need overseeding.
- Fine fescues: used in shady areas and low-maintenance mixes.
- Buffalograss and blue grama: native warm-season grasses that need much less water and mowing once established. They green up later in spring, go tan earlier in fall, and need full sun.
Seasonal timing on the Front Range
Cool-season lawns grow most in spring and fall. CSU Extension generally recommends lighter feeding in spring and the main fertilizer applications from late summer into fall, with heavy summer feeding avoided. Native grasses need little fertilizer at all, and overfeeding them invites weeds. A lawn company that applies the same program to every yard regardless of grass type is a red flag.
Watering within the rules
Colorado Springs Utilities customers may water up to three days a week on days they choose, and from May 1 to Oct. 15 overhead watering is limited to before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. Leaking sprinkler systems must be repaired within 10 days. Other water providers in the region, such as those serving Monument, Fountain, Security-Widefield and Falcon-area metro districts, set their own rules. A good lawn program works within your provider's limits instead of assuming unlimited water.
Core aeration matters here
Compacted clay and the hard soils left after construction keep water from soaking in, which means more runoff and less benefit from each allowed watering day. Core aeration in spring or fall, when cool-season grass is actively growing, helps water and air reach the roots. Mark sprinkler heads first so the aerator doesn't break them.
Mowing basics
- Keep cool-season grass on the taller side; taller grass shades the soil and holds moisture better in dry, windy weather.
- Remove no more than about a third of the blade at one mowing.
- Leave clippings on the lawn to return nutrients.
- Keep mower blades sharp so tips don't fray and brown.
Pesticide applications and licensing
In Colorado, anyone applying pesticides, including herbicides and insecticides, on another person's property for pay must be licensed as a commercial applicator by the Colorado Department of Agriculture, in the categories that match the work, such as turf or ornamental. Licensed turf and ornamental applicators also have to notify neighbors who are on the state's Pesticide-Sensitive Registry before applications next to them. If your program includes weed or insect control, ask for the company's license information.
What to ask before signing up
- Is the program tailored to my grass type, soil test and water provider's rules?
- What is included in each visit, and how many visits per year?
- How much notice do you give before applications, and when is it safe for kids and pets?
- Can I pause service during a drought restriction?
Ready for help with your Colorado Springs lawn? Request a lawn care company and tell us your grass type if you know it. Thinking about replacing grass instead? Read our guide to grass choices in Colorado Springs.
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Frequently asked questions
How often can I water my lawn in Colorado Springs?
Colorado Springs Utilities customers may water up to three days a week on days they choose, and from May 1 to Oct. 15 overhead watering must be before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. Other water providers in the region have their own rules, and rules can tighten in a drought.
Does a lawn care company need a license in Colorado?
Mowing doesn't require a state license, but anyone applying pesticides for hire must be licensed as a commercial applicator by the Colorado Department of Agriculture. Ask for license information if your program includes weed or insect control.
When should I aerate in Colorado Springs?
Core aerate cool-season lawns in spring or fall when the grass is actively growing. Flag sprinkler heads first, and water the day before so the tines can pull cores.
Sources and further reading
- Colorado State University Extension, El Paso County
- CSU Extension PlantTalk: Expansive Soils
- Colorado Springs Utilities: Water Wise Rules
- Colorado Springs Utilities: Establishment Permits
- Colorado Springs Utilities: Native Grass Lawn Program
- Colorado Department of Agriculture: Commercial Pesticide Applicators
- Colorado State Forest Service: Protect Your Home and Property from Wildfire
- Colorado State Forest Service: Home Ignition Zone Guide
- CSU Extension: Home Sprinkler Systems and Backflow Prevention
- City of Manitou Springs: Fence and Retaining Wall Guidelines
- Pikes Peak Regional Building Department
- Colorado 811
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
- EPA WaterSense