What HB25-1113 Means for Landscape Architects — and How Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and Fountain’s Requirements Will Need to Evolve
Colorado’s approach to water-wise landscapes continues to evolve, and House Bill 25-1113 (HB25-1113) is the next major shift designers should have on their radar. Rather than banning turf outright, the bill reshapes how and why turf — including artificial turf — is used in new residential developments. For landscape architects working along the Front Range and Southern Colorado, the implications are already showing up in local codes.
The Big Picture: What HB25-1113 Does
HB25-1113 is a statewide water-conservation measure aimed at reducing irrigation demand by limiting nonfunctional turf in new and redeveloped residential projects. The law applies equally to natural turf and artificial turf when those materials are used purely for decoration.
The key distinction is function:
- Functional turf — parks, playgrounds, sports fields, and active common areas — remains allowed.
- Nonfunctional turf — decorative lawns, ornamental strips, and unused turf areas — is the target of the restrictions.
The bill rolls out in phases, with local governments required to stop permitting nonfunctional turf beginning in 2026 and to fully align their zoning and landscape codes by January 1, 2028.
Importantly, the law does not require removal of existing turf and does not impose a single statewide turf percentage. Instead, it leaves implementation to local jurisdictions.
For designers, this means local codes matter more than ever.
A Major Shift: Single-Family Homes Are Included
One of the most significant — and sometimes overlooked — aspects of HB25-1113 is that it explicitly applies to single-family homes in new residential developments.
Historically, turf restrictions in Colorado were often focused on:
- Commercial sites
- Multifamily developments
- Common areas and rights-of-way
HB25-1113 expands that scope. Once local codes are updated (no later than 2028), new single-family lots within subdivisions will also need to comply with turf limitations.
What changes Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and Fountain will need to make to comply
Colorado Springs: Already Designing Beyond Turf
Colorado Springs offers a preview of what post-HB25-1113 landscapes look like in practice. The city’s 2023 Landscape Code update already limits turf to 25% of irrigated landscape area in new development and requires turf to be consolidated into usable spaces. Artificial turf is permitted but regulated — treated as an amenity rather than a decorative surface. Placement, installation quality, and context all matter.
For landscape architects and designers, Colorado Springs has effectively normalized:
- Intentional turf placement
- Strong plant palettes built around low-water and native species
- Landscapes where turf supports activity, not visual filler
In many ways, the city’s existing code already meets or exceeds the intent of HB25-1113. Future changes are likely to be refinements in language, not wholesale redesigns.
Pueblo: A Market on the Verge of Change
Pueblo tells a different story. While the city has general landscaping standards, it does not yet have turf-specific limits or functional turf definitions aligned with HB25-1113.
That means opportunity.
As Pueblo moves toward the 2028 deadline, designers should expect:
- New turf caps or limitations
- Clear definitions of functional vs. nonfunctional turf
- New rules governing artificial turf in residential development
For landscape architects, this transition period is a chance to help shape policy conversations — and to get ahead of code changes by proposing landscapes that already reflect the state’s water-conservation goals.
Fountain: Quietly Getting Ahead
Fountain sits between Colorado Springs and Pueblo, not only geographically, but in terms of readiness. The city already encourages low-water landscaping and recently adopted zoning amendments that integrate state definitions of nonfunctional turf directly into its code.
While Fountain’s regulations aren’t as prescriptive as Colorado Springs’, the direction is clear: turf must serve a purpose. Designers working in Fountain should anticipate more scrutiny of turf justification and a growing emphasis on function-driven outdoor spaces.
What This Means for Landscape Architects
HB25-1113 reinforces a trend many designers are already embracing turf as program, not default.
Across Southern Colorado, successful landscape proposals will increasingly:
- Treat turf as an amenity tied to use and activity
- Lean into native and climate-adapted planting strategies
- Use artificial turf strategically — not decoratively
- Tell a clear story about why turf is included and how it will be used
In jurisdictions like Colorado Springs, that mindset is already required. In places like Pueblo and Fountain, it’s about to become the norm.
Design Takeaway
HB25-1113 doesn’t limit creativity — it sharpens it. By pushing landscapes toward intentionality, the bill encourages designs that are functional, resilient, and regionally appropriate. For landscape architects, understanding the nuances between state law and local codes is no longer optional — it’s a design tool.
The future of Colorado landscapes isn’t turf-free. Its purpose driven.