Aurora, CO Xeriscaping Guide
Published: June 6, 2026 · Updated:
Aurora Water pays $3.00 per square foot for a water-wise landscape, or $0.50 per square foot for a low-water grass landscape to Aurora homeowners who replace thirsty lawn.
The Aurora turf removal rebate
Grass Replacement Incentive Program (GRIP), run by Aurora Water.
$3.00 per square foot for a water-wise landscape, or $0.50 per square foot for a low-water grass landscape
- The area must be existing, irrigated, well-maintained grass
- Aurora Water approves every project before installation, and rebates are not retroactive
- Rebates of $600 or more count as taxable income, so a W-9 and 1099 are required
Apply and get approval before you remove any grass. This program does not pay retroactively.
Aurora runs it in dated groups rather than year-round: spring runs 1 March to 15 August 2026, autumn from 1 November 2026 to 1 January 2027.
Verified 2026-07-28 against the Aurora Water rebate page. Compare turf rebates.
What to plant in Aurora
The planting palette for zone 6a is shared across Colorado and is set out once, with the genera native to the state, on the Colorado xeriscaping guide. What is specific to Aurora is the money above: Aurora Water sets what your removed lawn is worth.
What is specific to Aurora is the money: Aurora Water decides what your removed lawn is worth, and those terms are above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Aurora, CO offer a turf removal rebate?
Yes. Aurora Water runs the Grass Replacement Incentive Program (GRIP), paying $3.00 per square foot for a water-wise landscape, or $0.50 per square foot for a low-water grass landscape. Full conditions are on the Aurora Water rebate page.
How much is the Aurora turf rebate actually worth on a typical lawn?
At Aurora Water's rate of $3.00 per square foot, removing a 600 square foot lawn returns $1,800. A 1,000 square foot lawn returns $3,000.