Colorado Golf Courses Thrive in Warm Winter, But Turf Faces Stress

Courses see surge in play, but lack of winter rest and moisture could lead to lasting damage

Feb. 5, 2026 at 11:47pm

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Colorado's unseasonably warm and dry winter weather has allowed golf courses along the Front Range to remain open and experience a surge in play more typical of spring. However, turf managers warn that the grass is being deprived of its usual winter rest and moisture, which could lead to lasting stress and damage as the peak golf season approaches.

Why it matters

The warm, dry conditions have allowed Colorado's golf courses to stay open and see a significant increase in play during the offseason. However, this lack of winter dormancy and moisture could negatively impact the health of the turf, potentially leading to issues as the peak golf season arrives. Course managers are concerned about long-term water supply and the ability to maintain course conditions if the dry pattern continues.

The details

Courses like Fossil Trace Golf Club in Golden have been open every day in November and February, a highly unusual occurrence. Golfers have been arriving in shorts and t-shirts, a sight the head golf professional calls "wild" for this time of year. The increased play is causing additional wear and tear on the courses, which are usually in a dormant state during the winter. Across the Denver Golf municipal system, play is up around 70% in rounds and 90% in cart use compared to the offseason. To protect the turf, Denver Golf has announced that all courses will shift to walking-only seven days a week starting February 10th.

  • Fossil Trace Golf Club was open every day in November except Thanksgiving.
  • Fossil Trace Golf Club has been open with golfers booked every day for the upcoming week in February.
  • Denver Golf data shows a 70% increase in rounds and 90% increase in cart use from November through early February compared to the offseason.

The players

Adam Finch

The head golf professional at Fossil Trace Golf Club in Golden, Colorado, who has worked at the course for 19 years.

Pam Smith

The director of agronomy for the Denver Golf municipal system, which operates several courses in the Denver area.

Scott Ellis

The superintendent at Wellshire Golf Course in Denver.

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What they’re saying

“For the first time in our golf course's history, we were open every day in November with the exception of the Thanksgiving holiday.”

— Adam Finch, Head Golf Professional (9news.com)

“To have some downtime in the middle of winter where we don't have golf carts, we don't have golfers, we'll have snow cover for prolonged periods of time is the norm. This year is extraordinarily different. We've seen no weather pattern bringing us snow.”

— Pam Smith, Director of Agronomy (9news.com)

“Just like the ski industry is hoping for snow, we're hoping for snow to recharge the reservoirs and make sure we have adequate water for the season.”

— Scott Ellis, Superintendent (9news.com)

What’s next

If the dry conditions persist, Denver Golf has a staged plan to manage water usage, focusing on keeping key playing areas like greens, tees and fairways alive while reducing irrigation to less critical areas like the rough.

The takeaway

The warm, dry winter has allowed Colorado's golf courses to thrive in the offseason, but the lack of dormancy and moisture could lead to long-term turf health issues as the peak season approaches. Course managers are hopeful for a return to more typical winter weather to recharge water supplies and allow the grass to properly rest and recover.