Denver Resilient Landscape

The City and County of Denver in 2025 will propose updating its landscape requirements to increase and promote a more climate resilient city. Climate resilient landscapes are designed to use less water, can survive during times of drought, help to reduce heat in the city, and promote biodiversity, among many other benefits. This process will update the Denver Zoning Code along with all other applicable codes, rules, regulations and policies to create clear guidance for new development projects and also come into compliance with a new state law. This project is sponsored by City Councilmember Paul Kashmann in partnership with Denver’s Department of Community Planning and Development. 

This project will focus on landscaping requirements for all new development and some redevelopment projects only. Existing landscaping around homes or businesses will not be impacted by these new requirements.

A key aspect of this project will be engagement in 2025 with the public, development community, industry professionals, and many others to ensure Denver’s new landscape requirements meet the goals and vision of the community

This project is collaboratively funded with support from the Colorado Water Plan grant, Denver Community Planning and Development, the Climate Protection fund, Denver Parks and Recreation, and the Office of Climate Action, Sustainability, and Resiliency.

Background

Many developments in Denver use non-functional turf, defined as ornamental grass in an area that does not get public use. Nonfunctional turfgrass uses a lot of water and does not serve a recreation or civic purpose. This type of turf can be found in areas along roadways, in medians and in parking lots. Instead of nonfunctional turf in new development and some redevelopment, the city may require a mix of native grasses, shrubs and trees or other landscape design that focus on species that are successful in Denver's climate.