Is Artificial Turf Allowed in Colorado?

This page is for Colorado homeowners who have read that the state "banned artificial turf" and want to know whether that reaches their yard. We read the four state bills that matter, El Paso County's implementation memo and the rules of five Front Range cities.

Did Colorado ban artificial turf?

Only on certain property, and only for new work. SB24-005 says that on and after January 1, 2026, a local government "shall not install, plant, or place, or allow any person to install, plant, or place" nonfunctional turf, artificial turf or invasive plants "as part of a new development project or redevelopment project" on "applicable property." That meant commercial, institutional and industrial property, HOA common areas such as entryways and parks, and rights-of-way, parking lots and medians. The original text added that it "does not include residential property."

A redevelopment project needs a permit or design review and disturbs "more than fifty percent of the aggregate landscape area." Turf in place before January 1, 2026 may be maintained.

What did HB25-1113 change?

Three things, according to the signed bill from May 2025:

• It narrowed the artificial turf ban. The prohibition now covers "nonfunctional artificial turf." Turf on a playground, sports field, picnic ground, park or golf playing area counts as functional, as do engineered landfill covers and slope revetments.
• It added larger apartment and condo sites. Covered property now includes multifamily property "that includes more than twelve dwelling units," which El Paso County's December 31, 2025 memo applies from January 1, 2026.
• It ordered limits on grass in new homes by 2028. By January 1, 2028, each city and county with zoning authority must regulate "the installation of turf to reduce irrigation water demand for all residential real property" in new development and redevelopment.

That 2028 clause is where most confusion starts. The bill defines turf as "continuous plant coverage consisting of nonnative grasses" that forms "a dense growth of leaf blades and roots" when mowed. That is living lawn. The mandate is about bluegrass in new subdivisions, not artificial turf, and not existing homes.

Does any of this apply to my house?

Not directly.

One state rule does reach a backyard: since January 1, 2026, Colorado bars installing turf with intentionally added PFAS on any property (see our PFAS turf laws by state). And the law lets cities adopt rules "more stringent than the requirements of this section." The state set a floor for commercial and common land; it did not protect turf on homes from a city.

Can a Colorado HOA ban artificial turf?

Not in a detached home's backyard. SB23-178 says an HOA's rules must "not prohibit the use of nonvegetative turf grass in the backyard of a unit owner's property." Design rules still apply, and the front yard is unprotected.

The rule excludes condominiums and attached homes; for those, the older text lets an HOA "restrict the installation of nonvegetative turf grass to rear yard locations only." If an HOA knowingly violates the detached-home rule, the owner may sue for up to $500 or actual damages, whichever is greater, after written notice and 45 days to cure. Compare other states in our HOA turf laws by state.

Which Colorado cities restrict artificial turf?

Several Front Range "turf" rules made headlines, but most regulate living grass. Read the definition first.

Aurora causes the most confusion. Its ordinance says "turf shall not be installed in the front or side yards of any single-family dwelling" and caps backyards at the lesser of 45% or 500 square feet. But it defines turf as "any cool season turf species, variety or blend, including but not limited to Kentucky bluegrass and Fescue." Those are grass limits on new development, passed unanimously, the Gazette reported. Pages calling it an artificial turf ban have misread it.

The same holds for Castle Rock and Fort Collins, which restrict "Kentucky bluegrass and turf-type tall fescue." Denver says its draft rules "will not be a requirement for existing property."

We did not read the codes of Colorado Springs, Lakewood, Boulder or Westminster. If your city is not in the table, assume nothing either way.

What does Thornton require for artificial turf?

Thornton regulates synthetic lawns by name. Its artificial turf regulations allow turf on single-family lots with "no limitations" in rear and enclosed side yards, but every install needs a permit. The main rules:

• A Minor Development Permit, $100 fee, typical processing 3.5 weeks after a complete application.
• Turf in front and unenclosed side yards may not exceed 25% of the landscape area.
• Buffers: 3 ft from property lines, 8 ft from the front wall of any building, 3 ft from deciduous tree trunks, nothing inside an evergreen's dripline.
• One tree equivalent of living plants for the first 750 sq ft of turf, plus half a tree equivalent per additional 250 sq ft, outside the rear yard.
• A minimum 8-year fading warranty (see our warranties guide).
• Backing draining at least 2 inches per hour (a backing rating, not a system rate) over at least 3 inches of compacted aggregate.
• PFAS-free documentation at application. Testing "completed by the manufacturer does not satisfy this requirement."

Run your own areas through the turf cost calculator, and size the 3 inch base with the base material calculator.

Will a Colorado rebate pay for artificial turf?

Not one funded by the state. HB22-1151 created the state turf replacement program, and it bars money "for the replacement of turf" with impermeable concrete, "artificial turf," water features, invasive plants or more turf.

Utility programs follow the same pattern. Aurora Water's water-wise landscape rebate pays $3 per square foot for a water-wise plant landscape and $0.50 for native or low-water grass, and requires approval "before installation." Denver Water's turfgrass removal discount, up to $750 through Resource Central, steers customers to "water-wise plants," and its 2026 slots "have all been allocated." See our rebates and water rules guide for the sequence.

Our four-check rule before a Colorado install

1. City code. Search it for "artificial turf" and "synthetic"; a rule defining turf as grass does not apply.
2. Permit. Thornton requires one; ask your planning desk.
3. HOA and metro district. Detached-home backyards are protected; front yards are not. Get approval in writing.
4. PFAS. Get the supplier's written PFAS statement for the exact product.

This is our framework, not a regulation. Our cold climates guide covers base depth and frost heave on the Front Range.

When does this page stop applying?

It covers private homes under the statutes and city rules cited above as of October 2026. Cities may add artificial turf rules when they adopt the 2028 grass rules. This is not legal advice.

Frequently asked questions

Can I install artificial turf in my front yard in Colorado?

Usually, unless your city or HOA says otherwise. State law does not regulate artificial turf on single-family lots, and Thornton allows it on up to 25% of front landscape area with a permit. An HOA can lawfully bar it from a front yard, because the statute protects only a detached home's backyard.

Does Colorado's turf law make me remove existing artificial turf?

No. SB24-005 expressly allows maintaining nonfunctional turf or artificial turf installed before January 1, 2026, and it covers only new development and redevelopment that disturbs more than 50% of the landscape area. A single-family yard is not covered property in the first place.

Is HOA common-area artificial turf banned in Colorado?

For new and redeveloped common areas from January 1, 2026, nonfunctional artificial turf is barred. Playground, sports field and picnic area turf is still allowed, and existing turf may be maintained. California handles HOA common areas differently; see our AB 1572 guide.

Does Colorado's 2028 residential rule ban artificial turf on new homes?

No. HB25-1113 requires cities and counties to regulate "turf" in new residential development by January 1, 2028, and defines turf as living nonnative grass. A city may also restrict artificial turf, as Salt Lake City and Provo have done in Utah (see our Utah turf rules), but Colorado's statute does not require it.