Native Area Maintenance

Why Native Open Space Exists

The community contains approximately 240 acres of native open space designed to mimic Colorado's natural shortgrass prairie ecosystem. These areas provide numerous benefits, including:

  • Significant water savings (no supplemental irrigation needed)
  • Lower maintenance costs
  • Reduced use of fertilizers and pesticides
  • Wildlife and pollinator habitat
  • Environmental sustainability
  • Natural beauty and ecosystem function

Colorado's Native Prairie Environment

The Front Range naturally receives only 14–17 inches of precipitation annually, making it a semi-arid environment. Native prairie vegetation is adapted to hot, dry summers and cold, dry winters.

Common native species include:

  • Blue grama
  • Buffalograss
  • Western wheatgrass
  • Scarlet globemallow
  • Soapweed yucca
  • Rabbitbrush

Why Native Areas Can Look Different Than Expected

Unlike mature natural prairies, community native areas are created from disturbed, graded soil and face challenges such as:

  • Construction impacts
  • Recreation and pet traffic
  • Weed pressure
  • Runoff from irrigated landscapes
  • Human expectations for manicured appearances

Native Grass Establishment Takes Years

Establishing native grasslands is a long process:

  • With irrigation: approximately 2–5 years
  • Without irrigation: approximately 4–10 years

The process includes:

  1. Seeding native grasses
  2. Erosion control
  3. Extensive waiting for natural establishment
  4. Ongoing weed management

Weed Control is Essential

Early weed management often involves mowing and pulling weeds. As native grasses mature, management shifts toward targeted herbicide applications and integrated pest management strategies. The goal is to support native plants while preventing invasive species from taking over.

Long-Term Maintenance Philosophy

The objective is not to create a manicured lawn but to maintain a healthy native ecosystem through:

  • Minimal mowing
  • No irrigation
  • No fertilizer applications
  • Ongoing weed monitoring and management
  • Occasional spot seeding when necessary

Beauty Bands and Community Appearance

To balance ecological goals with community aesthetics, the maintenance program includes:

  • Mowed "beauty bands" along trails and property lines
  • Trail maintenance
  • Signage
  • Resident education efforts

How Residents Can Help

Residents are encouraged to:

  • Stay on designated trails
  • Keep pets leashed
  • Avoid dumping yard waste or food waste in native areas
  • Refrain from mowing, spraying, or planting outside their property boundaries

Please click below to review the native area presentation from our expert from a Board meeting in 2025:

  • Significant water savings (no supplemental irrigation needed)
  • Lower maintenance costs
  • Reduced use of fertilizers and pesticides
  • Wildlife and pollinator habitat
  • Environmental sustainability
  • Natural beauty and ecosystem function

Do you have concerns or questions on the native areas?  Please reach out to the District here.