Warm Season Grasses in Colorado

We sell only cool season sod. These are grasses typically found at higher elevations in cooler climates capable of surviving prolonged cold weather as well as thriving in temperature ranges and precipitation patterns common in Colorado. Most warm season grasses, while common in warmer regions face many obstacles in Colorado, especially above 6000 feet in elevation.

Over 40 years of trials, observations, and research we have developed a product line of Kentucky bluegrass blends and our newest Survivalist tall fescue mix. Our Pikes Peak bluegrass and the Survivalist tall fescue are cool season grasses and are both incredibly well adapted to Colorado. We choose our grass blends to be aggressive and drought tolerant as well as resistant to many common lawn diseases. With proper ground preparation and maintenance our products are the keystone to a water-wise landscape. In the south and in some coastal areas of the country warm season grasses are often used as turf grasses for lawns. These species include Bermuda, St. Augustine, centipedegrass, zoysiagrass, and bahaigrass, None of the above listed species can survive the winters of Colorado but can make great lawns in their adaptive areas.

Some warm season grasses do grow in Colorado especially at lower elevations. These include Buffalograss and different grama species including blue grama. At higher elevations above 6000-7000 feet, these species tend to also have difficulty with winter survival. Even the cooler night temperatures at these elevations challenge these species in a lawn environment. Cool temperatures reduce warm season grass competition with more robust cool season weeds and also significantly reduced traffic tolerance. Other limitations of buffalograss and grama species in this region are:

  • Short growing season (five months)
  • Susceptibility to herbicide injury
  • Problems competing with cool season weeds
  • Widespread weed problems
  • Low shade tolerance
  • Poor traffic tolerance in transition climates
  • More difficult to establish