HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-02 An Ordinance Amending Titel 14 of the Vail Town Code to Prohibit the Installation of Nonfunctional Turf, Nonfunctional Artificial Turf, and Invasive Plant Species1/27/2026
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ORDINANCE NO. 2
SERIES 2026
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 14 OF THE VAIL TOWN CODE TO
PROHIBIT THE INSTALLATION OF NONFUNCTIONAL TURF,
NONFUNCTIONAL ARTIFICIAL TURF, AND INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES
WHEREAS, the Town desires to protect environmental resources, promote water
conservation, and conform with recent state law changes regarding the installation of turf.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE
TOWN OF VAIL, COLORADO, THAT:
Section 1. Section 14-2-1 of the Vail Town Code is hereby amended by the
insertion of the following definitions to appear in alphabetical order:
ARTIFICIAL TURF. An installation of synthetic materials developed to
resemble natural grass.
FUNCTIONAL ARTIFICIAL TURF. Artificial turf that is located in a
recreational use area or other space that is regularly used for civic,
community, or recreational purposes, which may include a playground, a
sports field, a picnic ground, an amphitheater, a portion of a park, and the
playing area of a golf course, such as a driving range, chipping and putting
green, tee box, green, fairway, and rough.
FUNCTIONAL TURF. Turf that is located in a recreational use area or other
space that is regularly used for civic, community, or recreational purposes,
which may include a playground, a sports field, a picnic ground, an
amphitheater, a portion of a park, and the playing area of a golf course,
such as a driving range, chipping and putting green, tee box, green, fairway,
and rough.
INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES. Plants that are not native to the state that are
introduced to the state accidentally or intentionally, have no natural
predators or competitors in the state, because the state is outside of their
natural competitor or predator range, have harmful effects on the state's
environment or economy or both, or appear on the Noxious Weed List
maintained and published by the Colorado Department of Agriculture.
NONFUNCTIONAL ARTIFICIAL TURF. Artificial turf that is not functional
artificial turf.
NONFUNCTIONAL TURF. Turf that is not functional turf.
TURF. The continuous plant coverage consisting of nonnative grasses or
grasses that have not been hybridized for arid conditions, and which, when
regularly mowed, form a dense growth of leaf blades and roots.
Section 2. Section 14-10-8 of the Vail Town Code is hereby amended by the
addition of the following new subsection (M):
2
1/27/2026
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§ 14-10-8 LANDSCAPING, DRAINAGE, AND EROSION CONTROL
* * *
(M) The installation of nonfunctional turf, nonfunctional artificial turf, and
invasive plant species shall be prohibited except that nonfunctional turf shall
be permitted for single-family and two-family dwellings.
INTRODUCED, READ ON FIRST READING, APPROVED, AND
ORDERED PUBLISHED ONCE IN FULL ON FIRST READING this 3rd day of
February, 2026, and a public hearing for second reading of this Ordinance set for the
17th day of February, 2026, in the Council Chambers of the Vail Municipal Building,
Vail, Colorado.
_____________________________
Barry Davis, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________
Stephanie Kauffman, Town Clerk
READ AND APPROVED ON SECOND READING AND ORDERED
PUBLISHED this 17th day of February, 2026.
_____________________________
Barry Davis, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________
Stephanie Kauffman, Town Clerk