Join Cortez's Turf Replacement Program to Save Water and Earn Rebates

The City of Cortez is encouraging residents and business owners to join the Turf Replacement Program, initiated by the Public Works Department to cut down on water use. This program is especially important during the summer when water use in the city significantly increases due to the watering of lawns. Participants in the program replace high-water-use turf with landscaping that requires less water, aiding in the state's water conservation goals as per the Colorado Water Plan.

Applications for the program are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis at City Hall, the Service Center, and online on the city's website. The program offers rebates of $2 per square foot for approved projects. Residential projects can be between 200 and 1,000 square feet, and commercial projects between 200 and 2,000 square feet.

To qualify, properties must be within the city limits with city-metered water usage. The program requires that only visible turf areas are eligible for replacement, excluding backyards. Applicants need to submit a complete application, and the turf to be replaced should be well-established, as the program does not apply to bare dirt or new constructions.

Participants are also required to maintain the new landscaping for at least three years to support sustained water conservation. Projects completed prior to application are not eligible.

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