What's the difference between a landscape architect and a landscape designer?

Landscape architects hold degrees and licenses covering site engineering, drainage, and plant science. Designers typically focus on aesthetics. For projects with slopes, drainage issues, or structural elements, a registered landscape architect is required.

Do I need a landscape architect for a small residential project?

It depends. For simple planting on a flat lot, you may not. However, if your Dakota Ridge property has drainage problems or slopes, a landscape architect prevents costly mistakes and ensures long-term functionality.

How long does the landscape architecture process take?

The process typically takes 3 to 6 weeks. This includes an initial site analysis, 2-3 weeks for conceptual plans, and time for revisions based on your feedback to ensure the final documentation is ready for installation.

Can you help with permits and approvals?

Yes. We are familiar with Jefferson County regulations and Dakota Ridge HOA requirements. We prepare the technical specifications needed for permit applications and can attend architectural review meetings if necessary.

Landscape Architect in Greenwood Village, CO

Landscape architect projects in Greenwood Village, CO, have a way of sitting on the back burner until something finally pushes a homeowner to just get it sorted.

The Right Landscape Architect Makes All the Difference in Greenwood Village, CO

Working on a property in Greenwood Village requires a different kind of preparation than most landscape projects. The grade changes, the soil compacts in ways that catch people off guard, and drainage patterns that look fine on paper can quietly undermine a beautiful yard if nobody accounted for them in the design phase. A certified landscape architect reads all of that before anything gets drawn up, which is exactly why the planning stage matters as much as it does out here.

At Land Designs by Colton, that kind of preparation is just how we work. Every project gets a real site read, a real conversation about what you want, and a design that fits the land you actually have, not some idealized version of it. We keep you informed throughout, we price honestly from day one, and we don’t disappear after the plans are handed over.

People trust us with their properties because we treat the work seriously and the homeowner like an adult.

See Our Work in Greenwood Village, CO

The projects in the gallery below cover a good range of what we’ve done across the Denver metro, different property sizes, different goals, different starting points. Have a look and get a sense of the kind of work we bring to every job.

500+

landscape enhancements completed

years of design experience

30+

projects completed per year

What People in Greenwood Village, CO Say About Us

The reviews below come from homeowners who’ve been through the process with us. They’ll give you a clearer picture of what working with Land Designs by Colton actually feels like day to day.

Aaron Goodlock

Rated 5 out of 5

Jon and Flavia were absolute professionals from start to finish. It was a pleasure working with them. They developed a beautiful landscape design, incorporated our specific requests, and oversaw the entire project with a high standard of care.

We are extremely pleased with the finished product and the significant value it has added to our home!

How Much Does Landscape Architecture Cost in Greenwood Village, CO?

Design services start at $1,200. From there, the cost depends on what your project involves, whether that’s 3D renderings, phased construction drawings, detailed planting plans, or permit coordination.

The figures below come from past project estimates. Your quote will be specific to your property and scope, so reach out at (720) 580-3677 or through our contact page, and we’ll put something accurate together.

Five things that shape the final cost:

Site Complexity: Properties in Greenwood Village often come with meaningful grade changes, rocky ground, and drainage patterns that need to be understood before anything gets designed. More complex sites take more time to plan properly, and that shows up in the design work.
Project Scope: A focused backyard redesign and a full-property master plan with structures, irrigation, and lighting are very different scales of effort. The broader the scope, the more coordination and design time goes into making it work well.
3D Renderings and Visualization: Seeing a detailed rendering of your project before construction starts helps catch changes early, when they're still easy. Clients who invest in that step tend to have smoother builds.
Plant Selection and Environmental Design: Sourcing plants that thrive at elevation, hold up through freeze-thaw cycles, and suit Colorado's water realities takes knowledge and time. Specialty or native plantings factor into both design and overall budget.
Permitting and Regulatory Requirements: Greenwood Village has specific rules around grading, drainage, tree preservation, and zoning for residential properties. When permits are part of the job, we handle the process, but the time and associated costs are accounted for from the beginning.

Straightforward on Budget, Dependable on Timing

We know that committing to a landscape architecture project is a big decision, and the two things that matter most at the start are what it will cost and how long it will take. We take both seriously.

Good landscape architecture adds value to your property in ways that stick around. The investment tends to come back through increased home equity, a yard you actually spend time in, and the avoidance of having to redo work that wasn’t planned correctly the first time. Spending the right amount once is almost always better than spending less twice.

We build realistic schedules at the start of every project and hold to them. Our clients always know when to expect us on site and when to expect us to be finished. When we wrap up, we leave the property clean and the work complete. That’s just how we operate.

How a Landscape Architecture Project Actually Works

A lot of people assume this process is going to be drawn out and complicated. For most of our clients, it isn’t. Read more about our full approach to landscape architecture, and then here’s the shape of it:

Listen

We spend real time understanding your property and what you’re after, then build a design around both.

Build

Our team handles construction with the same attention to detail that went into the plans.

Settle

You end up with an outdoor space that fits your life and holds up through Colorado’s seasons.

FAQs About Landscape Architecture in Greenwood Village, CO

Do I need a licensed landscape architect, or will a general landscaper do?

For basic planting and groundwork, a landscaping crew is perfectly fine. But if your project involves grade changes, drainage, structures, permits, or a site with any real complexity, a licensed landscape architect is the better choice. The upfront planning reduces the chance of expensive problems during construction, and on a property along the Front Range, that kind of foresight pays off.

How long does a project take from start to finish?

Design typically takes a few weeks. Construction runs longer depending on scope. A focused residential garden might be wrapped up within a couple of months. Larger, phased projects take more time. We give you a clear schedule at the outset and keep you updated throughout so you always know where things stand.

Can you design something that actually holds up in Colorado's climate?

That’s a core part of what we do. A registered landscape architect who knows this region designs with freeze-thaw cycles, wind, soil conditions, and water use in mind from the beginning. The result is a yard that performs well across all four seasons without demanding constant maintenance or heavy irrigation bills.

Does professional landscape design add to my home's value?

Research consistently puts it somewhere between five and fifteen percent added home value, depending on scope and execution. Beyond resale, a well-designed outdoor space changes how you use your property day to day. It’s one of those improvements that keeps paying you back.

Let's Talk About What Your Property Could Look Like

Jonathan & Flavia Colton

Landscape architecture in Greenwood Village, done well, is the kind of thing that changes how you feel about your home. Land Designs by Colton brings the expertise, the transparency, and the follow-through to make sure the project goes the way it should.

Call us at (720) 580-3677 or send a message through our contact page. We’re happy to talk through what you have in mind before anything is decided.

Greenwood Village is a residential community in Arapahoe County, just south of Denver, known for its large estate lots, tree-lined streets, and the kind of quiet, established neighborhoods that have been drawing families to this part of the metro for decades. The city is home to the Curtis Center for the Arts and sits just minutes from Cherry Creek State Park, one of the more popular outdoor destinations in the area. Landscape architect work in Greenwood Village, CO tends to take on a slightly different character out here, which is one of the more rewarding parts of working in this part of the metro.