A landscape architect holds formal education, tested credentials, and a state license that a landscape designer typically doesn’t.
That distinction matters for Denver homeowners, especially once a project moves into grading, drainage, outdoor structures, or anything that requires detailed construction documents.
So, which one do you actually need? That depends on your project scope, your budget, and what Colorado law requires.
This guide breaks down the real differences in education, legal authority, project type, and cost, so you can make a smarter decision before signing anything.
The Core Difference (Updated 2026)
A landscape architect is a regulated design professional (similar to a civil engineer) who holds a degree from an accredited program, completes years of applicable experience, and passes a national licensing exam. The title carries legal weight.
A landscape designer has no uniform national standard. Most landscape designers build their skills through hands-on experience. Some are self-taught. Others hold certificates or degrees in horticulture or a related field. The title is unprotected, which means qualifications vary widely from one professional to the next.
For straightforward planting and aesthetic work, that gap may not matter much. For complex projects with structural design elements, permits, or significant earthwork, it matters a lot.
Education and Licensing
Landscape Architect: Accredited Degree + State License
Landscape architecture education begins with a four- or five-year Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) or a master’s degree from a program accredited by the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB).
That formal education covers site analysis, grading, drainage, structural design, environmental planning, and the full landscape design process. Not just plant selection and overall aesthetics.
After graduating, candidates must complete documented experience before sitting for the Landscape Architect Registration Examination (LARE), a four-part national exam administered by CLARB.
Passing all four sections, combined with the required experience, is what qualifies a professional to hold a landscape architect license.
Jonathan Colton of Land Designs by Colton is a strong local example of what that path looks like. He earned his Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from Mississippi State University before launching his Denver-area practice in 2011.
Landscape Designer: No Formal Credential Required
There is no national licensing requirement for landscape designers. Many professionals who use this title are genuinely skilled, but they aren’t held to a single standard.
Some have formal education in horticulture or a related field. Others are self-taught and have built their expertise entirely on the job.
Some pursue voluntary certification through organizations like the Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD), which is worth looking for, but it’s not the same as a state license.
Most landscape designers focus on smaller residential projects, like selecting plants, refining overall aesthetics, and improving curb appeal. That’s valuable work. It’s just a different scope than what a licensed landscape architect is trained and legally authorized to do.
What Each Profession Can Legally Do in Colorado
Colorado regulates landscape architecture through the Colorado State Board of Landscape Architects, a division under the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA).
Colorado operates under a full practice act (Colorado Revised Statutes Section 12, Article 130), which means it is unlawful to practice or offer landscape architecture services in the state without an active landscape architect license.
To become licensed in Colorado, a candidate must hold an accredited degree in landscape architecture, have at least 2 years of applicable experience, and pass all 4 sections of the LARE. The license renews every two years.
For homeowners, this matters most when a project requires stamped drawings for a permit. Only a licensed landscape architect can sign and seal those documents in Colorado.
| Landscape Architect | Landscape Designer | |
| Formal education required | Yes (LAAB-accredited BLA or MLA) | No |
| State license in Colorado | Yes, through DORA | No |
| Can seal/stamp construction documents | Yes | No |
| Handles large-scale projects | Yes | Limited |
| Works on commercial projects | Yes | Primarily residential |
| Grading and drainage expertise | Yes | Limited |
| Plant selection and aesthetics | Yes | Yes |
When to Hire Each Professional
When to Hire a Landscape Architect
Hire a landscape architect when the project has real consequences if something goes wrong. That includes:
- Significant grading or slope work. Any meaningful change in elevation across the property needs someone who understands how water moves, how soil behaves, and how to design for both safely.
- Retaining walls. Most municipalities require permits once walls exceed a certain height, and those permits need stamped drawings from a licensed professional.
- Drainage plans. If water from your property could affect a neighbor’s yard or tie into a municipal system, a landscape architect needs to be involved.
- Outdoor structures. Pergolas, covered patios, and decks that require structural design review go beyond what a designer is trained or licensed to handle.
- Permit-required projects. When the city or county requires a master plan or detailed construction documents, only a licensed landscape architect can produce and seal them.
- Commercial projects. Commercial properties and developments have regulatory requirements that go well beyond the standard residential scope.
- High-end or large-scale projects. The higher the investment, the more costly a design error becomes. A credentialed landscape architect is the right person to protect it.
When to Hire a Landscape Designer
For smaller residential projects with minimal earthwork, a landscape designer can deliver. Think planting plans, garden bed redesigns, seasonal color schemes, or plant selection tailored to Colorado’s climate and water usage requirements.
When there’s no permitting involved, and the scope stays focused on aesthetics, the credential gap matters a lot less.
The Cost Difference and Why It’s Worth It
A licensed landscape architect will typically charge more than a landscape designer. You’re paying for formal education, specialized knowledge, tested expertise, and the legal authority to produce documents that protect you throughout the build.
On complex projects, that investment pays for itself. A drainage plan done wrong doesn’t just look bad. It can damage your foundation, flood a neighbor’s yard, or create a permit problem that costs far more to fix than the original design fee.
Someone with landscape architecture credentials understands local topography, soil conditions, water use, and municipal codes.
For smaller-scale residential projects focused on planting and overall aesthetics, the cost difference narrows considerably. Many landscape architects take on residential work at competitive rates, especially when the scope warrants their involvement.
Working with Land Designs by Colton, A Credentialed Landscape Architect in the Denver Metro
Land Designs by Colton is a family-owned design-build company based in Wheat Ridge, serving homeowners across the Denver metro area.
Jonathan Colton, the owner and lead designer, holds a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from Mississippi State University and brings over 25 years of combined design experience to every project and every job site.
What sets Jonathan apart locally is that his background extends far beyond planting plans. He handles site analysis, drainage planning, outdoor structures, hardscaping, irrigation, and complete outdoor living spaces, all under one roof.
Every project starts with the client’s vision and stays true to it from the first consultation to the final walkthrough. Flavia Colton manages all client communication and project coordination, which means you always have one person to call.
For Denver homeowners trying to sort out the landscape architect vs. landscape designer question, working with a formally trained landscape architect from day one removes a lot of the uncertainty.
FAQ: Landscape Architect vs. Landscape Designer
How do I verify a landscape architect’s license in Colorado?
Through DORA’s license lookup. Licensed landscape architects in Colorado renew every two years.
Do I need a landscape architect for a permit in Denver?
It depends on the scope. Projects involving grading, retaining walls above a certain height, or drainage changes that affect neighboring properties often require detailed construction documents sealed by a licensed landscape architect. Always confirm with your local municipality before assuming a permit isn’t needed.
Can a landscape designer legally do the same work as a landscape architect in Colorado?
No. Colorado has a full practice act, which means landscape architecture services can only be provided by a licensed landscape architect. A landscape designer can handle plant selection and smaller residential projects, but cannot legally offer landscape architecture services or seal construction documents.
Is it worth hiring a landscape architect for a smaller project?
For purely aesthetic work like planting, garden beds, and overall aesthetics, a good landscape designer can do the job well. For anything involving structural design, grading, drainage, outdoor structures, or permits, a landscape architect is the right call and usually the legally required one in Colorado.
Can a landscape architect also manage the construction?
Yes. Design-build firms like Land Designs by Colton handle everything from design through installation, which is often more efficient and more cohesive than splitting the work between separate design professionals and contractors.
Schedule Your Landscape Architecture Consultation
Sorting through credentials, licensing rules, project scope, and the difference between design professionals on your own takes time, and most homeowners would rather spend that time actually enjoying their outdoor living spaces.
If you’re planning a project in the Denver metro area and want a formally trained landscape architect leading it from the start, Land Designs by Colton makes the process simple.
Call us at (720) 580-3677 or message us here to talk through your project and get a free quote.