This page records what Colorado Springs Utilities and Colorado State University Extension publish
about lawns in the Colorado Springs area: when watering is allowed, which grasses suit the climate and
elevation, when they can be seeded, and how they are mown. Each figure is attributed to the publication
it comes from, with the date it was read.
When watering is allowed
Colorado Springs Utilities Water Wise Rules limit watering to no more than three days a week, with the
customer choosing the days. From May 1 through October 15 there is no watering between 10 a.m. and
6 p.m. Water must not pool or run off onto hard surfaces.
Source: Colorado Springs Utilities Water Wise Rules —
csu.org/water-wise-rules. Read 2026-07-26.
Which grasses suit the climate and the elevation
| Season type | Species named by CSU Extension | Constraint |
|---|---|---|
| Cool-season | Bluegrass, ryegrass, fescues | No elevation restriction stated |
| Warm-season | Buffalograss, blue grama | At high elevations, greater than 7,000 feet, warm-season grasses are not to be used |
The elevation figure is the published threshold. Properties in the foothills can sit above it, so site
elevation decides whether a warm-season grass is an option at all.
Source: Colorado State University Extension fact sheet 7.241 —
extension.colostate.edu 7.241. Read 2026-07-30.
Seeding windows
| Grass type | Seeding window | Optimal |
|---|---|---|
| Cool-season | March through September | Along the Front Range and Western Slope, mid-August to mid-September |
| Warm-season | April through July | Not stated |
Source: Colorado State University Extension fact sheet 7.241 —
extension.colostate.edu 7.241. Read 2026-07-30.
Mowing a new lawn
Mowing begins when a new lawn has grown to about 2 1/2 inches. After that it is mown to a height of
2 to 3 inches.
Source: Colorado State University Extension fact sheet 7.241 —
extension.colostate.edu 7.241. Read 2026-07-30.
Frequently asked questions
How many days a week can a lawn be watered?
No more than three, and the customer chooses which days, under the Colorado Springs Utilities Water
Wise Rules.
Are there hours when watering is not allowed?
Yes. From May 1 through October 15 there is no watering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
When is the best time to seed a cool-season lawn?
Cool-season grasses can be seeded March through September, and along the Front Range the optimal
window is mid-August to mid-September (CSU Extension 7.241).
Can buffalograss be used at any elevation?
No. Above 7,000 feet, warm-season grasses such as buffalograss and blue grama are not to be used.
How short should a new lawn be cut?
Mowing starts at about 2 1/2 inches and the lawn is then maintained at 2 to 3 inches.
Sources
- Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) Water Wise Rules — www.csu.org/water-wise-rules (read 2026-07-26)
- Colorado State University Extension fact sheet 7.241 (Wilson & Koski), Renovating the Home Lawn, published January 2004, reviewed March 2014 — extension.colostate.edu/resource/renovating-the-home-lawn (read 2026-07-30)
Treat this Colorado Springs project as a local site question, not a generic checklist; Front Range high-altitude climate with freeze-thaw exposure, heavy clay and compacted foothill soils and existing shade all matter. Ask for a service details tied to the address and local rules from Colorado Springs Utilities and El Paso County rules, with plant choices that fit cold-hardy bluegrass, ponderosa and native grasses and the property’s neighborhood context.
The Colorado Springs editorial check records sources, decision step, and conditions still awaiting a site review.
Project details and next steps
- No-Cost Scope ReviewThe initial scope review is offered without charge or a commitment to schedule work.
- Decision RecordThe approved scope and price are recorded before scheduling, with later changes documented separately.