July 8, 2024

Northern Water Awards Over $300,000 in Water-Efficient Grants

Within the past six years, Northern Water has partnered with local municipalities, homeowners associations, nonprofits and other entities to enable about 7 million square feet of water-efficient landscape renovations across Northern Colorado as part of its Water-Efficient Landscape Grant Program. 

Recently, Northern Water awarded more than $300,000 in grants to 19 new projects covering more than 500,000 square feet through the program.  

With this year’s funding, Northern Water has awarded about $1.2 million in grants over the past six years to 82 projects. Including the matching funds required from each recipient, about $2.5 million in water-efficient landscape renovations have taken place through the grant program, with those projects covering approximately 7 million square feet of landscape within Northern Water’s boundaries.  

Grants have ranged from $2,500 to $20,000, which is the maximum awarded, funding projects that have included upgrades to irrigation systems, transitions to water-wise plantings, conversions to native grasses, incorporations of soil amendments and more.   

Grant project at first congregational church in Greeley, July 2023

In addition to helping fund the projects, Northern Water provides signage at each site and highlights the projects across various platforms to educate the public about their benefits.  

“As we look back on the past six years of our grant program, it’s inspiring to witness its transformative impact," said Frank Kinder, manager of the Water Efficiency Department at Northern Water. "The program continues to pioneer low-water and ecosystem-enhancing landscapes that thrive in our unique climate, showcasing to the public what can be achieved in their own landscapes." 

"We are grateful for the invaluable partnerships that have contributed to our success over these six years and look forward to further advancements in water efficiency and sustainability,” Kinder said. 

Here are the 2024 recipients and the projects that Northern Water’s grant program will support: 

Boulder County  
  • St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church of Longmont, removing 3,557 square feet of turf and building a community pollinator education garden 
  • Second Flintlock HOA in Boulder, implementing an irrigation controller and flow system upgrade over 205,000 square feet 
  • Indian Peaks HOA in Lafayette, transforming 4,550 square feet of turf landscape to a combination of water-wise plants and turf alternative 
  • City of Lafayette Fire Station in Lafayette, continuing with phase II of a turf to water-wise garden conversion of 13,860 square feet
  • Harvest Junction Village HOA in Longmont, converting 7,100 square feet of its North Park turf and trees to water-wise alternative plants  
Larimer County  
  • The Ridge at Mariana Butte HOA in Loveland, converting 5,940 square feet of turf to water-wise plants 
  • Warren Shores HOA in Fort Collins, starting phase I of an 8,550 square-foot transformation of turf to water-wise plants
  • Waterleaf HOA in Fort Collins, transforming 24,790 square-feet of turf at the Lemay Avenue entrance to water-wise plants and native grasses 
  • Trinity Lutheran Church in Loveland, converting the 8,000-square-foot south lawn landscape from turf to water-wise plants as phase I of a native grass transformation project
  • Townhomes at Seven Lakes HOA in Loveland, starting phase I of transforming 47,678 square feet of native grass to water-wise plants
  • The Crossing Church in Fort Collins, converting 13,000 square feet of rain garden and turf to water-wise plants and native grasses
  • Silver Oaks HOA in Fort Collins, converting 1,000 square feet of turf to water-wise plants
  • Larimer County Sheriff's Administration in Fort Collins, removing 18,000 square feet of turf landscape and replacing with water-wise plants
  • KidsPak nonprofit in Loveland, converting new development to a combination of water-wise plants and native grass across 42,852 square feet
  • Heritage Ridge Metropolitan District HOA in Berthoud, continuing with phase II of converting 117,666 square feet of turf to native grass
  • Hearthfire Association in Fort Collins, transforming 3,000 square feet of turf to water-wise alternative plants
  • Enclave at Registry Ridge HOA in Fort Collins transforming 1,521 square feet of their east common area entrance from turf to water-wise plants
  • Animal Friends Alliance in Fort Collins, converting 12,700 square feet of new development to native pollinator landscape 
Weld County 
  • Park Ridge at Hawkstone HOA in Eaton, replacing 2,837 square feet of turf with water-wise plants and implementing irrigation upgrades 
Next Grant Cycle Already Underway 

Northern Water has already began the next cycle of Water-Efficient Landscape Grants. Here are some key dates:  

  • Consultations for Applicants: June-September 2024 
  • Applications Accepted: Oct. 1-Dec. 3, 2024 
  • Applicants Notified: Late January 2025 
  • Contracts Signed/Projects Start: Spring 2025 
  • Project Completion Deadline: Sept. 30, 2025 

Potential applicants are required to take part in a consultation with Northern Water prior to submitting an application. Anyone wanting to schedule a consultation can do so by completing a consultation intake form. 

Additional details and updates about the grant program are available on our website.