Vail’s latest turf reduction project will bring annual water savings to 1.5 million gallons
Town is continuing its work removing and replacing turf grass from non-functional areas
Town of Vail/Courtesy Photo
As the Western Slope continues to deal with aridification and drought in the Colorado River Basin, reducing water use will be critical in ensuring a sustainable water future.
The Eagle River Water and Sanitation District reports that around 95% of the water used indoors returns to local waterways (after being treated in a wastewater facility), but only about 25% of the water used for irrigation outside returns to local waterways.
One of the easiest ways for consumers and municipalities to reduce water use is by changing landscaping, reducing turf and shifting water needs outside.
This was recognized in the 2024 legislative session with a bill that will prevent local governments from planting new, non-functional turf within their jurisdictions starting in 2025. The bill, which was signed into law by Gov. Jared Polis on Friday, March 15, would not impact recreational and residential spaces but rather grass in areas like medians and right-of-ways.
Since 2019, the town of Vail has proactively tackled this problem by removing and reducing its use of turf grass on town-owned property.
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Todd Oppenheimer, Vail’s capital projects manager, said the goal of the ongoing work is “to preserve stream flows.”
“The primary benefit is to reduce water used in the landscape thus reducing the amount of water that needs to be taken from Gore Creek,” Oppenheimer said. “There are secondary benefits, which include reduced workload on maintenance crews, reduced emissions from lawn maintenance equipment and some cost savings.”
The town piloted a turf reduction program at Buffehr Creek Park, removing 25% of the grass and replacing it with less water-intensive plants. It was estimated that the project would save around 100,000 gallons of water each year. Since then, the project has continued at many other locations throughout town including the removal of 75,000 square feet of turf grass in 2022.
In 2024, the town has undertaken a few projects that will convert over 20,000 square feet of irrigated turf grass to native grass, perennial flowers and shrub plantings.
The Town Council recently approved a $91,000 contract to begin the 2024 work at the roundabout in main Vail. The work will include two small turf grass areas on the south side of the roundabout and the area east of the Vail Police Department parking lot. Work is expected to start in June.
“The project scheduled for 2024 will bring the total annual water savings to approximately 1.5 million gallons,” Oppenheimer said.
The savings are a reflection of the turf reduction work done since 2019.
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“While this amount of water won’t refill Lake Powell it will have a positive effect on our local waterway Gore Creek,” Oppenheimer added.
The actual turf reduction and landscaping includes several steps.
“The process involves applying a non-selective herbicide to kill the roots of the existing sod and then mechanically removing the sod layer. The soil is tilled and raked to create a seedbed and one of a variety of native grass seed mixes is installed. The area is covered with a layer of mulch to protect the seed and retain moisture and then irrigated for a season or two to establish the grasses,” Oppenheimer said.
With the 2024 project lined up, the town’s turf grass project is far from over.
Looking forward, Vail “is looking to remove non-functional turf grass everywhere it can,” Oppenheimer said. “Only non-functional turf grass is being targeted.”
As such, the town’s park areas that use natural grass will not see reduction projects for now.
In 2021, the town had discussed replacing the natural grass at Ford Park with artificial turf, but a large number of field users urged the town not to, and the town ultimately dropped the project from its budget.
“There are no plans to remove any turf grass that serves a function,” Oppenheimer said, adding that this includes areas of parks “that are used for play and other park activities and sports fields.”
