Burning Question: How does the ASCP feel about all the grass on campus? What are some better, more sustainable options?

Is the turf at fault?  

At Auraria Campus, green grass, also known as “turf”, is the main type of ground cover used in campus landscaping. In fact, turfgrass is estimated to cover 2% of the US land area. (Gould et al., 2025). 

Turfgrass can require a significant amount of water to maintain its fresh, green appearance, but it might not be the lawn’s fault. Research shows that sprinkler irrigation used for turfgrass landscaping can result in overwatering and high rates of evaporation (Dukes, 2025; Healthy Green Spaces Coalition, 2025). The environmental impacts of turfgrass are heavily debated among researchers.  

Some authors argue that turfgrass application can contribute to human mental well-being and positive health outcomes, including accessible surgery recovery, exercise frequency, and respiratory health (Braun et al., 2024). Researchers from Kansas State University studied the societal benefits of turfgrass and concluded “turfgrass systems offer opportunity for human views…and improve worker productivity” (Braun et al., 2024, p. 2915). Other benefits of turfgrass include creating fire safety zones, cooling the landscape, and stabilizing soil.  

However, researchers generally agree that the benefits of turfgrass depend largely on how it is maintained and where it is used. Practices such as pesticide use, frequent mowing, and overwatering are commonly associated with environmental degradation, yet they remain common methods of maintaining a desirable aesthetic lawn (Simmons et al., 2011; Healthy Green Spaces Coalition, 2025). 

So, why is there so much turfgrass? 

Studies show that a variety of native grasses can provide better environmental outcomes while conserving resources. So, why is there still so much turfgrass?  

Part of the answer to the obsession with evenly green, landscaped grass lies across the Atlantic Ocean, in the history of European grasslands. Centuries of livestock grazing and foot traffic helped create biodiverse grasslands made up of short, tolerant, and resilient plant species. Unlike these biodiverse European grasslands, modern turfgrass cultivation focuses on developing a single species of ideal traits for specific, high-demand landscaping applications (Simmons et al., 2011). 

This preference for uniform, green lawns has influenced the way we landscape today. But as sustainability becomes a greater priority, researchers and communities are exploring alternatives that provide similar benefits while using fewer resources.  

What is being done?  

Across the U.S., turfgrass removal programs are increasingly appearing in state regulations and recommended landscaping practices. Researcher Michael D. Dukes (2025) explains that many programs focus on water conservation as the primary reason for the turfgrass removal. Often, turfgrass is replaced with rock landscaping or native plant species that can survive with rainfall alone.  

Research shows that “under natural conditions, few grasses occur as monocultures,” suggesting that one approach to turfgrass replacement is planting a variety of grass species, particularly native grasses (Simmons et al., 2011, p. 1096). Studies suggest that areas with greater species diversity are more likely to withstand environmental stress, such as prolonged drought. 

Solutions and Alternatives 

There are many alternatives to a turf landscape as well as behavioral changes to improve the environmental impact of turfgrass.  

One solution to help prevent overwatering is using a smart water meter to automatically shut off irrigation when a set limit is reached. In a study from Utah State University, households that used smart meters reduced their irrigation water use by about 100,300 gallons per week. Participants also reduced water use by shortening irrigation duration, adjusting water frequency throughout the day, and increasing the number of days between watering (Aveek et al., 2023). These are relatively minor changes that could help reduce the environmental impact of turfgrass while keeping lawns available for recreation. 

In 2019, the ASCP and One World One Water Center published a campus Water Action Plan to decrease water usage. Through system analyses, these groups identified leaky and outdated irrigation systems. Upgrading roughly 50% of the campus irrigation systems with weather-sensing smart controllers helped cut irrigation water consumption by roughly 8 million gallons.  

Another alternative to traditional turfgrass is landscaping with native grasses. Native species are better adapted to local environmental conditions and can provide habitat and biodiversity for insects and animals. Here in Colorado, native grasses can survive with rainfall alone, although they may go dormant and turn brown during periods of low rainfall. The variety of native grasses available is extensive, and the best choice depends on the type of soil and climate of the intended planting area (Moravec, 2024). The Colorado Guide to Native and Water Wise Grass Installation and Maintenance lists some beginning steps and methods to maintain native grass landscaping.  

In collaboration with the Student Advisory Council to the Auraria Board (SACAB), the ASCP planted a shade garden on the east side of the Plaza building. The garden contains native Colorado plants and requires less water usage because of its strategic location, which is partially shaded by the Plaza building. 

Conclusion 

Ultimately, how does ASCP feel about all the turfgrass on campus? The ASCP think it is worth evaluating. While turfgrass does provide benefits, from recreational space to cooling the landscape, it is also worth considering whether native grasses could provide similar benefits with fewer environmental costs. The goal is to find the right balance between the benefits of turfgrass and the environmental costs of maintaining it. 

By continuously improving irrigation practices and implementing more sustainable turf maintenance, the campus can minimize these impacts. At the same time, exploring opportunities to introduce native grasses and more diverse landscaping could help conserve water and support local biodiversity. Sustainable landscaping does not necessarily mean removing all the grass on campus, but it does mean being more intentional about where it is used, how it is maintained, and what alternatives might work better for Auraria Campus. 

Written by: Maddie Rowley 

References 

Aveek, M., D.E. Rosenberg, C. Bastidas, J.S. Horsburgh, B.A. Lane. K. Kopp, P. Mayer and J. Fazio. 2023. Increasing the Impact of Utah State University’s Extension Water Check Program With 5-Second Metering. Reports. Paper 681. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/water_rep/681. 

Braun, Ross C., et al. “The Role of Turfgrasses in Environmental Protection and Their Benefits to Humans: Thirty Years Later.” Crop Science, vol. 64, no. 6, 2024, pp. 2909–2944. Wiley, https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.21383.  

Colorado General Assembly. “Prohibit Landscaping Practices for Water Conservation.” Colorado General Assembly, 2024, https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/SB24-005.  

Dukes, Michael D. “Removal of Turfgrass for Water Supply Resilience.” International Turfgrass Society Research Journal, vol. 15, no. 1, 2025, pp. 1229–1234. https://doi.org/10.1002/its2.197. 

Gould, Thomas M., et al. “Evaluating the Sustainability of Turfgrass Lawn Assemblages.” International Turfgrass Society Research Journal, vol. 15, no. 1, 2025, pp. 253–261. Wiley, https://doi.org/10.1002/its2.172.  

Healthy Green Spaces Coalition. “The Truth About Grass’s Impact on Water Use.” Healthy Green Spaces Coalition, 11 Jan. 2025, https://greenspacescoalition.org/the-truth-about-grass-impact-on-water-use/. 

Moravec, Catherine, et al. Colorado Guide to Native and Water Wise Grass: Installation and Maintenance. Updated 29 Jan. 2024, https://coloradonativegrass.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/CO-Native-Grass-Installation-and-Maintenance-Manual-1-29-2024.pdf .  

Simmons, Mark, et al. “The Performance of Native and Non-Native Turfgrass Monocultures and Native Turfgrass Polycultures: An Ecological Approach to Sustainable Lawns.” Ecological Engineering, vol. 37, no. 8, 2011, pp. 1095–1103. Elsevier, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2011.03.004.