Saving water: Aurora converts 87 acres to prairie and Bermuda grasses

It will take three years for the vegetation on the Buckley medians to mature.Photo byCity of Aurora

AURORA, Colo. -- Imagine 10 football fields filled with water 13 feet deep. That's about the amount of water per year that 400 households use.

And it's how much water Aurora has saved with its “Back to Our Roots” program, according to a presentation by city staff to the City Council during Monday’s study session. The program aims to eliminate turf grass in parts of the city and replace it with native grasses or Bermuda grass.

While turf grass has roots three to five inches deep, native grasses roots reach up to 80 inches. Native grasses require much less water. In 2024, the city spent $3.7 million on the conversions.

Replacing the turf grass saves the city money. According to the presentation, Olympic Park’s non-functional turf area conversions to Bermuda and native grasses have the potential to net over $70,000 in savings annually. “We can’t afford to not convert,” the presentation states.

Prairie grass is “incredibly durable,” according to the presentation. It evolved in a climate different from turf grass and is drought tolerant. While treating turf grass for pests and weeds can get expensive, prairie grass requires only spot treatment of noxious weeds, according to the presentation.

Several projects already completed

Projects have been under way this year at Airport and Interstate 70, the Westerly Creek/soccer skills park, Del Mar Park, Jewell Wetlands, Westerly Creek, Olympic Park, and Tallyn’s Reach area. The Olympic Park conversion alone will save more than a million gallons of water per year, according to the presentation.

Projects in 2023 included Arkansas Pond, Beck Recreation Center, Buckley medians, central facilities, Cottonwood Park, La Parquita Park, Lowry Park, Mexico Radio Tower, South Satellite, Triangle Park, and Aurora Sports Park.

Since the project’s inception, more than 87 acres have been converted, according to the presentation.

"This work is really needed in terms of water conservation," said Mayor Mike Coffman.

Denver also is replacing Kentucky Bluegrass with native grasses. A recent project on the Quebec Street medians caught the ire of residents who say the new mix of plants resembles a weed patch.