5 Landscaping Mistakes HOAs in Colorado Springs Can’t Afford to Make

Managing an HOA in Colorado Springs comes with a lot of pressure. Residents expect the neighborhood to look pristine, and they expect it to stay that way year-round—even during droughts, spring storms, and sudden October blizzards.

Here are five common landscaping mistakes we see HOAs make (and how to avoid them):

The Overlook in Colorado Springs

1. Installing Plants That Can’t Handle the Altitude

Some contractors throw in plants that look nice at install but can’t survive a Colorado winter or our dry air. We’ve seen entire beds wiped out by one hard freeze.

What to do instead: Choose native or high-altitude-friendly plants like Russian sage, Karl Foerster grass, and serviceberry. They’re beautiful, low-maintenance, and built for this climate.

2. Ignoring Drainage Around Sloped Common Areas

Colorado Springs has a lot of elevation changes. If drainage isn’t properly planned, water pools around sidewalks, erodes turf, or kills plantings. And yes—residents notice.

What to do instead: Grade turf properly and use strategic hardscaping (like retaining walls or dry creek beds) to direct runoff. Don’t rely on mulch alone.

3. Letting Irrigation Run on Auto Without Inspections

A single broken head or misaligned sprayer can cost thousands in water over the season—and often, no one notices until the city bill comes.

What to do instead: Schedule monthly irrigation checks, especially in July and August. Use smart controllers that adjust based on weather.

4. Waiting Too Long for Seasonal Cleanups

Fall leaves left too long become moldy messes. Spring beds left unattended signal neglect. Delays frustrate residents and cost more to fix later.

What to do instead: Have a spring/fall schedule and stick to it. If you don’t have the crew bandwidth, outsource it to a team that can handle it fast and clean.

5. Choosing the Cheapest Maintenance Bid

You get what you pay for. Cheap contractors often miss details, cut corners, or fail to show up at all—leaving your HOA board answering angry emails.

What to do instead: Choose a partner, not just a vendor. Look for a company that offers accountability, certified crews, and transparent communication.

At Fisk Lawnscapes, we’ve worked with HOAs across Colorado Springs for more than two decades. We know the terrain, the weather patterns, the water restrictions—and the board expectations.

We’re happy to walk your property, point out risks or missed opportunities, and build a landscape plan that supports your residents and your budget.

Get a free site assessment or send us your current maintenance plan—we’ll tell you honestly what’s working and what could be improved.