Turf-type buffalograss is certainly drought tolerant. However, selecting a lawn grass on one parameter alone often results in frustrations later. For example, buffalograss is intolerant of shade and high levels of foot traffic. It is a warm-season grass, green, and actively grows along the Front Range only from May until early October. It is easily invaded by cool-season weeds. Some of these disadvantages could be annoying for someone planting buffalograss for its drought tolerance. Some of the fine fescues are drought tolerant and great in shade, but they go dormant (brown) when temperatures reach the 90s. Turf-type tall fescue is a somewhat drought-tolerant grass if soil preparation is sufficient to allow deep rooting. It performs well in shade but must be mowed using a mower with regularly sharpened blades. It has good resistance to foot traffic, but it does not recover if worn down to the ground. For high-traffic sports fields in Colorado, there's good reason for using Kentucky bluegrass: It recovers best from foot traffic. Its drought tolerance is better than it is given credit for, especially when soil is well prepared. We suggest you visit What is the best grass to use in Colorado lawns?
