Grants have ranged from $5,000 to $25,000, which is the maximum awarded, for projects that included irrigation system upgrades, transitions to water-wise plantings, native-grass conversions, incorporation of soil amendments and more.
In addition to helping fund the projects, Northern Water provides signage at each site and highlights the projects across various media platforms to help educate the public.
“As we look back on the past seven years of our grant program, it’s inspiring to witness its transformative impact. 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," said Frank Kinder, manager of the Water Efficiency Department at Northern Water. "We are grateful for the invaluable partnerships that contributed to our shared success and look forward to further advancements in water efficiency and sustainability.”
2026 Grant Cycle Already Underway
Meanwhile, Northern Water is already getting the 2026 cycle of Water-Efficient Landscape Grants underway. Here are some key dates:
- Consultations for Applicants: June-September 2025
- Applications Accepted: Oct. 1-Dec. 1, 2025
- Applicants Notified: Late January 2026
- Contracts Signed/Projects Start: Spring 2026
- Project Completion Deadline: Sept. 30, 2026
Potential applicants are required to take part in a consultation with Northern Water prior to submitting an application. Anyone wanting to schedule a pre-application consultation can do so by calling 800-369-7246 or emailing waterefficiency@northernwater.org.
Additional details and updates about the grant program are available northernwater.org/grants.
Northern Water’s 2025 grant recipients and projects:
Boulder County
- Boulder County Recycling Center in Boulder, removing 2,646 square-feet of turf to create a rain garden of native plants.
- Hover Park Community Association in Longmont, removing 8,200 square-feet of turf to create a water-wise community space.
- Northern Light Condos in Boulder, transforming 4,500 square-feet of turf into a water-wise community landscape featuring native and climate-adapted plants.
- Skystone Community Association Inc. in Broomfield, implementing an irrigation controller and weather-based sensor upgrade to 460,668 square-feet.
- The Renaissance Community Association in Longmont, undertaking a 25,000 square-foot irrigation retrofit and landscape transformation project.
- Indian Peaks Filing No. 8 Greenlee Park in Lafayette, converting 3,440 square-feet of turf to water-wise plants.
Larimer County
- Enclave at Mariana Butte in Loveland, removing 2,834 square feet of hard-to-irrigate turf to a water-wise parkway strip.
- Hunter’s Run Master Homeowners Association in Loveland, planning to transform 6,114 square-feet of landscape into native grass and water-wise plants.
- Larimer County Loveland Campus, reducing turf in a 14,410 square-foot landscape conversion project.
- Miramont Village Homeowners Association in Fort Collins, implementing an irrigation controller and flow sensor upgrade over 111,472 square-feet.
- The Ridge at Mariana Butte Association in Loveland, completing Phase II of its turf-to-water-wise landscape conversion, transforming 4,073 square feet.
- Sarah Milner Elementary School in Loveland, transforming 5,000 square feet of turf to a water-wise landscape.
- Trinity Lutheran Church in Loveland, completing Phase II of its south lawn water-wise landscape project, removing 6,695 square-feet of turf.
- Warren Shores Community Association in Fort Collins, undertaking a 16,800 square-foot irrigation retrofit and landscape transformation as part of its Phase II project.
- Waterglen Owners Association in Fort Collins, converting 70,300 square feet of turf to native grasses.
- Waterleaf HOA in Fort Collins, finalizing its 24,790 square-foot turf conversion by planting native grasses to create a more sustainable, low-water-use landscape.
- Cottage Homes at Observatory Village in Fort Collins, converting 610 square feet of turf to a native landscape.
Weld County
- Carbon Valley Parks and Recreation District in Frederick, converting 9,687 square feet of turf to water-wise landscape.
- City of Fort Lupton, transforming 5,040 square feet of turf into a water-wise landscape demonstration.
- Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Greeley, replacing 9,812 square feet of turf with a combination of native grasses and water-wise plants to create a more sustainable landscape.