Water Sustainability

There are many techniques utilized in designing xeric landscapes. Incorporating a variety of materials (not just plants), will help you to create visual interest, accessibility, and function in your landscape design, and require no water at all. Landscape materials may include a combination of rock or wood mulch, cobble stones, crusher fines, flagstone steppers, boulders, or art pieces. Creating pockets or groupings of plants, or minimal use of plants are other strategies commonly utilized in xeriscaping. The thoughtful placement of trees can provide partial shade to understory plants and may provide shaded seating areas in your landscape.  

Residential landscapes are a fundamental part of creating beautiful, healthy, and enjoyable neighborhoods in Commerce City. Learn more about residential landscaping at c3gov.com/Landscaping.

View the city’s full xeriscaping guide

Xeriscaping offers a transformative approach to landscaping that not only conserves water but also creates beautiful, sustainable, and low-maintenance gardens. By embracing xeriscaping principles, homeowners, businesses, and communities in Commerce City can make a positive impact on the environment while enjoying a vibrant outdoor space.

Discover the joys of a vibrant, water-efficient landscape that enhances the beauty of your property, saves resources, and makes a positive impact on the environment. Help create a more sustainable future for Commerce City through the power of xeriscaping!

Get started

Attend a FREE Waterwise Yard Seminar – these are taught by Colorado lanscape and horticultural professionals.  Look at the offerings and sign up to attend one: https://resourcecentral.org/seminars/

Additional resources

• Design layout ideas: https://plantselect.org/design/downloadable-designs/
• Find a list of city-approved plants here, beginning on page 5: https://www.c3gov.com/home/showpublisheddocument/19757/638188955828400000
• Beginner’s guide to xeriscaping: https://www.5280.com/the-beginners-guide-to-xeriscape-in-denver/
• Find a plant link: https://plantselect.org/?action=plants
• Additional xeriscape design plans: https://www.denverwater.org/residential/rebates-and-conservation-tips/remodelyour-yard/xeriscape-plans

Finished Your Xeric Landscape Project? The E3 Division would LOVE to see your low water/xeric landscape projects and feature them in future water sustainability programs. We also have (free) garden flags and stakes to give you as a “thank you” for saving water and promoting landscaping to support bees and other pollinators.

Please reach out to Libby Tart at etart@c3gov.com with your photos and interest in a garden flag.

Creating suitable soil conditions in landscape beds and gardens is an essential component in creating a water-efficient landscape and healthy plants. Proper soil preparation allows water to drain deep into the soil, provides necessary nutrients, and creates a stable medium for strong root systems. Most xeric plants do not like water to stay near their roots and will thrive in well-drained soils. Our Colorado soil often consists of clay, which inhibits drainage and requires the addition of amendments to provide suitable growing conditions. The addition of pea gravel or squeegee to the soil facilitates proper drainage and healthy plants.  

A soil amendment, per the definition from the CSU Extension Service, is “any material added to a soil to improve its physical properties for plant growth, such as water retention, permeability, water infiltration, drainage, aeration, and structure.  It creates a better environment for roots.”

Learn more about composting

A water-efficient irrigation system applies only enough water to suit a plant’s moisture needs and avoids over-spray and runoff. Drip irrigation is the most efficient way to deliver water directly to shrubs, ornamental grasses and trees. For turf or native seed applications, water efficient spray nozzles may be utilized. Proper control systems are also essential to lowering water use, by controlling the amount of water regularly applied to your landscape and by turning off the system when it rains.  

Resources from South Adams County Water & Sanitation District

• Sign up for an interest in Slowing the Flow with Sprinkler Evaluations and Smart Controller/Rain Sensor Installations: https://resourcecentral.org/sprinklers/
• Irrigation restrictions due to drought: https://www.southadamswaterco.gov/alert_detail.php
• Requirements for Spring Start-Up Instructions with Irrigation Systems: https://www.southadamswaterco.gov/customers/report_a_water_or_wastewater_emergency.php
• Requirements for Shutting Down your Irrigation System: https://www.southadamswaterco.gov/customers/report_a_water_or_wastewater_emergency.php

For all water and wastewater emergencies during or after business hours, please call South Adams County Water & Sanitation District at 303-288-2646

• Water Emergencies -water turn on, turn off, water main break
• Wastewater emergencies - sewer main backup or overflowing manhole
• Locates - emergency locates

Often referred to as Xeriscaping or Water-wise Landscaping this is an approach to landscaping that requires minimal irrigation and may reduce your annual water-use by 50%-75%. With thoughtful design and installation, water-wise landscapes can provide functionality, shade, color, and interest to any yard streetscape, or building façade.

Group your landscape into hydro-zones based on exposure and water needs (full sun, shady areas, slopes, drainage, or wet areas). These zones will define your plant selections and irrigation needs. Group plants with similar water and light requirements together, and take into consideration the mature size of your desired plants to avoid crowding. If a turf area is desired, determine which areas will receive sunlight for most of the day. Native grass and traditional bluegrass all need ample sunlight to thrive. Most xeric plants prefer full sun to partial shade, while some plants are adaptable to full shade conditions.

Xeric or drought -tolerant plant species thrive with minimal supplemental water once established. There is a wide variety of xeric plants available that will satisfy most landscape needs. These include trees, shrubs, flowering & accent plants, spreading ground covers, or screening hedges.

The xeric garden at Bison Ridge Recreation Center features the following species 

The xeric garden at Bison Ridge Recreation Center features the following species

• Tahoma-31 grass

• Nature's prairie turf

• Penstemon plants

Whether you are installing a native turf area, or water-wise plants, soil preparation is essential for good drainage, aeration, and supplying nutrients to your landscape. It is good practice to obtain a soils analysis for recommended amendments. Adding organic compost to your existing soil is recommended for the initial planting only. Once established, xeric grasses and perennials will adapt to native soils without supplemental amendment. To amend a landscape bed, for most Colorado soils, a good mixture is 50% native topsoil, 45% squeegee rock and 5% organic compost. When amending an area, thoroughly mix all components into the top 4-6-inches of the soil. Be sure to allow enough room for your mulch top dressing when establishing the final grade of your soil mixture, typically 2-4-inches, depending on the type of mulch.

Mulch provides your landscape with an important line of defense against water evaporation, weed growth and extreme heat. Gravel mulch is a great addition to xeric landscaping, as it allows for water to infiltrate the soil and keep the soil moist by preventing evaporation. Wood mulch allows air to easily absorb into the soil, and tends to be cooler than rock or gravel mulch. A combination of rock and wood mulch can add interest to your
design.

Thirsty turf grass is using more than its fair share of water in your front yard! By reducing or eliminating the amount of space this non-functional turf uses in your landscape, you’ll be able to cut down on your water use and create a more diverse and exciting lawn. Consider warm season xeric turf grass or drought-tolerant perennials in their place!

Commerce City's Water District is South Adams County Water and Sanitation District (SACWSD). All residents and businesses should abide by SACWSD's water restrictions. Since these may change over the course of 2026, Commerce City's Energy, Equity, and the Environment Division recommends going to their website for the latest water restrictions on their website: www.southadamswaterco.gov.

Commerce City is in the process of finalizing designs for two community (food) gardens that are expected to be constructed in 2027/28. The two designs are at Freedom Park and Bison Ridge Recreation Center. More updates to come throughout 2026! 

South Adams County Water and Sanitation District participated in Slow the Flow programs offered through Resource Central. Residents and businesses are encouraged to sign up on their "interest list" in 2026 to get an on-site irrigation test, visual inspection, customized water schedule, as well as additional education about their sprinkler systems.

These are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis, so go to this website to find out more about the program and ensure you list SACWSD as your water provider: Slow the Flow: Sprinkler Evaluations from Resource Central