Xeriscape Incentive Program (XIP)#
Earn a rebate for removing grass and installing a water-wise landscape.
The Basics#
XIP is available to Fort Collins Utilities residential water customers only. Represent an HOA or business? Learn more »
Completed residential XIP project.
XIP Rebate: $0.75/square foot up to 1,000 square feet, or up to $750, per approved project, per address.
Native Bonus Rebate:additional $0.25/square foot rebate up to 1,000 square feet or up to $1,000 total for planting a minimum of 80% plants native to Colorado.
Don't forget!
- Project area and plan must be approved by program administrators prior to installation
- Total front yard must have a minimum of 50% plant coverage at plant maturity.
Ready to transform your landscape? Start here!#
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Attend an upcoming XIP training.
Trainings for the 2023 program year begin in the fall. Sign up below:
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Enroll for the program when you’re ready for a project.
- The enrollment link will be sent once your training is complete.
- Enroll in the session that works for your schedule (see table below for details).
- Be sure to have your account number, estimated square footage and before photos ready to enroll.
- The training requirement is good for one year from your attendance date.
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Sit down for one-on-one help.
- Click here to sign up for a one-on-one (once you receive program enrollment confirmation)
- Discuss your landscape design and/or irrigation system with our experts.
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Get your design approved.
- Submit your designs for approval by your session due date (see table below).
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Install a sharp, new landscape.
- Install your landscape
- Click here to sign up for an inspection
- Submit all required paperwork during your inspection.
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Receive your rebate!
- Look for your bill credit 6-8 weeks after your inspection.
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2022 Sessions |
Designs Due |
Installation/Inspection Due |
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Session A
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March 25, 2022 |
June 30, 2022 |
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Session B
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July 31, 2022 |
Oct. 14, 2022 |
XIP Participant Materials
This page includes documents that are essential components of the Xeriscape Incentive Program for the 2022 planting season.
Design and Installation Resources
From turf selection to mulch and landscape design to inspiration, this page has all the resources needed to complete projects.
XIP Videos
Watch clips from the XIP Basics Training class to help complete projects or revisit details that were missed during class.
XIP: What to Expect#
- Landscaping is a home improvement project and it costs time and money!highlight_off
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But consider the benefits! Swapping out grass for low-water requirement landscape can save as much as 14 gallons of water per square foot per year. Converting half a typical front yard would save an estimated 14,000 gallons or 175 bathtubs of water a year!
- Do-it-yourself vs. hiring it outhighlight_off
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- There are pros and cons to each:
- DIY projects cost an average of $2/square foot of area converted but require several hours of labor and trips to the hardware store.
- Professional projects cost an average of $5/square foot but are completed in a shorter timeline by a professional.
- Mix and match:
- Draw up your own design and hire someone to install it, or hire a landscape designer and install the project yourself.
- You could also have a professional move the earth and install the hardscaping and then install the plants and mulch yourself.
- There are pros and cons to each:
- Working with a professional?highlight_off
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- We suggest chatting with a handful of landscape designers to find a professional who is compatible with your landscape vision.
- Request quotes from three different contractors to determine the best fit for you and your budget.
- For spring installations: contact landscape contractors in the fall.
- For fall installations: contact landscape contractors in the previous fall or spring.
- HOA approvalhighlight_off
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It's up to you to know your HOA requirements and to get approval if necessary. But remember that, under Colorado state law and Fort Collins’ City Code, HOAs cannot prohibit xeriscaping or require any turf grass, though they can have design and aesthetic guidelines for xeriscaping. See Colorado Revised Statute § 37-60-126(11) and City Code § 12-122 for details.
- City approvalhighlight_off
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Some parkway strips require approval from City of Fort Collins Zoning. We will help you figure out if you need to get City approval.
- Irrigationhighlight_off
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When you change your landscape, you must change the way it’s watered. Whether watering by hand or using an automatic system, attend a XIP training session to learn how to make a water-wise decision about irrigation.
- Front yard landscapeshighlight_off
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Per XIP rules, plant material must cover 50% of the front yard. If you are planning on wall-to-wall rock, this program is not for you. That’s what we call “zero-scape.” Xeriscape is a set of guidelines to follow for a beautiful, low-water landscape. Learn more about the Seven Principles of Xeriscape.
Did You Know?
Insulating and air sealing the walls and roof keeps heat and/or cool air inside your home.
Leaving grass clippings where they fall adds nutrients to the soil. A mulching mower chops grass into small pieces.
Turning off lights and appliances when not in use saves energy