The Denver Department of Parks and Recreation reports that about 50% of residential water consumption is targeted toward outdoor irrigation, mostly lawns, in the Denver Metro Area. Southeast Denver is surrounded and affected by altitude, low humidity, and UV lights. These factors make it crucial to use the correct grass type to help conserve water and ensure a healthy lawn that thrives.
Having brown patchy places, slow-growing turf, or uneven lawns in or around University Hills, Hampden, and Virginia Village could very well be because of growing the wrong type of grass for the local climate, and not how much you water or fertilize.
In this blog, Heroes Lawn Care will talk about which grass types do good in Southeast Denver, including pros and cons of each grass as well as things to consider when choosing which grass to plant or reseed.
What Makes Southeast Denver Unique for Lawns?
Before diving into grass types, it’s important to understand the environmental characteristics and climate conditions in Southeast Denver:
Altitude: Approximate 5,280 feet with thinner air, which means UV rays are stronger and soil dries out faster.
Climate: Semi-arid, low humidity, and over 300+ sunny days per year.
Soil: Mostly clay-heavy, hard-packed, and more alkaline than average.
Temperate transitions: Fast shifts from warm daytime to cold nights, especially in spring and fall.
The Best Grass Types for Southeast Denver Lawns
The tough weather and hard growing conditions in Denver mean you need drought-resistant grass that handles foot traffic and lasts through cold winters. Some of the common varieties of grass for lawn installation in Denver include:
Kentucky Bluegrass
Why it works: Kentucky Bluegrass is most popular for homeowners who want the classic thick green lawn. It’s a cold-weather grass that does well during the spring and fall in Colorado.
Pros:
Rich color and thick
Can self-fix with rhizomes
Strong against cold
Cons:
Use up a lot of water in summer
Not great with drought
Use Case: Perfect for water-irrigated lawns in University Hills or Hampden South, looking for soft, perfect grass.
Tall Fescue
Why it works: Tall Fescue is strong against drought because its deeper root helps survive Denver’s dry clay soils.
Pros:
Great drought resistance
Can handle medium foot traffic
Grows in the sun and a little shade
Cons:
Slow to spread, it grows in clumps
Coarser than Bluegrass
Use Case: Good for households with pets or kids in Goldsmith or Indian Creek who walk on grass often.
Perennial Ryegrass
Why it works: Perennial ryegrass sprouts fast, that is why it’s nice for overseeding or fixing dead patches. Not great alone, but mixes well.
Pros:
Grows quickly
Smooth texture and bright color
Fights diseases
Cons:
Shallow roots
Needs more water than fescue
Use Case: Blend with Kentucky Bluegrass to help lawns grow quickly, especially in places like Virginia Village and University Park.
Fine Fescue
Why it works: Fine fescue includes red fescue, chewing fescue, and hard fescue. It’s great in shaded parts or places where not much maintenance is done.
Pros:
Needs very little watering
Handles shade good
Doesn’t need lots of fertilizer
Cons:
Not strong for high use
Doesn’t look as nice as Bluegrass
Use Case: Use in shady yard corners or under trees in quiet, breezy neighborhoods like Southmoor Park and Kennedy.
Buffalo grass
Why it works: Buffalo grass grows native in the Great Plains, so it's used to dry places. Warm-weather loving, it grows best in the sun and toughs out droughts.
Pros:
Needs very less water
Native Colorado plant
Loves sun
Cons:
Turns brown early in fall
Wakes up slowly in spring
Can’t take much shade
Use Case: Best for eco-aware homeowners in Cherry Hills Village or by the High Line Canal Trail who want low upkeep, a natural look.
Grass Blends For Denver Lawns: The Right Choice for Homeowners
In most of the regions, the best lawns come from a mix of grasses, not just one category, done by an expert lawn management company in Denver. Usually, it's Kentucky Bluegrass mixed with Perennial Ryegrass or Fine Fescue. Some of the top benefits of grass blends include:
Fights disease better
Grows back fast after damage
Works in different sun/shade combos
Can hold the drought season
Pro Tip: Look for seed blends made for Denver, fitting USDA Zone 5 b- 6a.
What to Think About Before Picking Grass?
Use a core aerator and high-nitrogen or organic fertilizer, especially if you are adding a new grass type. Other things to consider include:
Watering Plans
Will you install an irrigation canal or water by hand? Buffalo grass and Fescue use less water than Bluegrass.
Use of Lawn
Did you sow a lawn for looks or play? For active lawns, Fescue or Bluegrass is better.
Sun Exposure
Fine Fescue does great in shaded yards. Full-sun yards can use Buffalo grass or Ryegrass.
Maintenance
If you don't want to mow often, Buffalo grass is nice. For fancy lawns, choose Bluegrass or high-end blends as they require less lawn maintenance in Denver.
Conclusion: Choose the Right Grass for Your Yard in Southeast Denver
There are many microclimates in Southeast Denver, from shaded urban corners to open suburban lots. Choosing the right grass isn’t only about what’s greenest; it’s about what matches your yard and how you use it.
Kentucky Bluegrass = Classic lawn, high care
Tall Fescue = Strong and drought-tolerant
Perennial Ryegrass = Great for patches and mixing
Fine Fescue = For shade and low care
Buffalo Grass = Native, eco-friendly, less work
Need help picking your ideal mix? Heroes Lawn Care Denver is here to help you choose and grow the best grass for your Southeast Denver home.
Heroes Lawn Care is a top lawn care company in Southeast Denver. We offers professional aeration, fertilizing, irrigation install, pet poop clean up, and eco grass installation services. Our team knows the challenges Denver lawns deal with environmental issues, like high UV, hard soil, and dry climates. That’s why we create custom plans for your yard.
Our experts use science and local experience to keep your lawn in the best shape. We don’t just mow, we bring your lawn to life, feed it, and protect it.
Get your free lawn checkup today! Call now to build a lawn that survives and thrives in the local climate.