I've noticed all over Denver front range more and more folks are getting rid of grass sod, migrating to xeriscape.  There are up front time/material costs, but heck, once one is done, the maintenance side of things much easier to accomplish just by weeding once or twice a year, vs. walking over the same space every week w a mower.  I think it looks better, and the biodiversity change can be seen.  The clean organic 'edible' content of my landscaping much higher now, in 2 years i'll be able to make some wicked night train w the 3 kinds of grape I'm now growing. ;)