(1) The general assembly finds that: (a) As Colorado continues to grapple with the impacts of climate change, green urban spaces, such as urban tree canopies, are a vital adaptation tool for mitigating the impacts of climate change, especially for mitigating the urban heat island effect, which can increase energy costs, air pollution, and heat-related illnesses and deaths; (b) However, water supply in the western United States is under increasing pressure due to climate change and increasing demand; (c) Many communities in the state overuse nonnative grass for landscaping purposes, which requires large amounts of water to maintain; (d) While there are appropriate and important uses for turf, including for civic, community, or recreational purposes, such as use in parks, sports fields, and playgrounds, much of the turf in the state is nonfunctional, located in areas that receive little, if any, use, and could be replaced with landscaping that adheres to water-wise landscaping principles without adversely impacting quality of life or landscape functionality; (e) Prohibiting the installation, planting, or placement of nonfunctional turf in applicable property in the state can help conserve the state's water resources; (f) Installed vegetation that adheres to water-wise landscaping principles can help reduce outdoor demand of water; and (g) Additionally, artificial turf can cause negative environmental impacts, such as exacerbating heat island effects in urban areas and releasing harmful chemicals, including plastics, microplastics, and perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals, into the environment and watersheds. (2) The general assembly therefore declares that preventing the installation, planting, or placement of nonfunctional turf, artificial turf, and invasive plant species in applicable property in the state is: (a) A matter of statewide concern; and (b) In the public interest.
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