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House OKs limits on nonfunctional turf in new residential development after amendments
Summary
Lawmakers approved a bill directing local governments with land use authority to adopt policies limiting nonfunctional turf in certain new residential developments; sponsors and opponents debated agricultural, business and local-control impacts before passage.
House Bill 11 13 — a bill directing local governments that exercise land-use and zoning authority to evaluate and adopt policies limiting certain nonfunctional turf in new residential development — passed the House after amendments and floor debate.
Sponsors said the measure extends a prior definition of “nonfunctional turf” to multifamily units and asks local governments to adopt policies tailored to their communities; it does not mandate removal of existing turf, nor does it apply to recreation, sports fields, playgrounds or other community uses. The bill was amended in committee and on the floor to clarify the threshold number of multifamily units affected, to define “urban tree,” and to ensure the Department of Natural Resources and stakeholders participated in rulemaking conversation.
Debate was broad: sponsors and several rural lawmakers said Colorado faces an increasing municipal water gap and that reducing water used for ornamental turf in the built environment is one of many conservation steps. Opponents — including representatives from ag and rural districts and some local-control proponents — warned the measure could harm sod and artificial turf businesses, impair local control and inadvertently raise costs for small landscapers and agriculturally linked firms. Some members pressed for carve-outs for artificial turf and for delaying deadlines to protect small businesses; sponsors added amendments to respond to these concerns and extended timelines in some language.
After amendment L008 (stakeholder clarifications) and additional floor debate, the bill passed the House.
