PFAS-Free Artificial Turf in Denver: What to Ask, What to Specify

Colorado moved on this. Under SB24-081, starting January 1, 2026, nobody can install artificial turf that contains intentionally added PFAS on any property in the state. The artificial turf industry noticed. So did buyers.

In Denver, the questions are arriving faster than most installers are prepared to answer them. Parents are asking about chemicals on the surface their kids play on. Dog owners want to know what their animals are licking off their paws. Homeowners who just paid for a turf installation are wondering whether what's in their backyard was tested by anyone independent before it shipped.

These are the right questions. The answers are more complicated than a manufacturer's spec sheet, and "PFAS-free" as a marketing phrase often doesn't hold up to scrutiny. Here's what it actually means, what testing to ask for, and what to ask before you sign a contract — whether you hire us for artificial turf installation or anyone else.

What PFAS Is — and Why It Ends Up in Turf

PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — a large class of synthetic chemicals that share one defining characteristic: the carbon-fluorine bond, one of the strongest in chemistry. That bond is why they're called forever chemicals. They don't break down readily in the environment, and some of them accumulate over time in soil, water, and tissue.

The main route into turf is manufacturing. A 2023 New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection review notes that PFAS-containing fluoropolymers are used as processing aids to help extrude plastic — the process that makes turf blades — which can leave a low-level residue on the finished product.

Crumb rubber infill — made from recycled automobile tires — carries its own set of concerns: heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and other compounds. It's still in widespread use because it's cheap, which is why the infill question matters as much as the turf question.

Why It Matters in Denver Specifically

Turf gets hot here. Penn State's Center for Sports Surface Research found synthetic turf generally runs 35–55°F hotter than natural grass in sun, and Denver's high-altitude summer sun is intense. Kids playing on turf, then touching their faces or eating without washing hands, represent an exposure pathway worth taking seriously. Dogs licking their paws after hours on the surface represent another.

And there's now a legal floor. Colorado's rule covers intentionally added PFAS — so documentation matters. An installer should be able to show you that the product meets it, and ideally show you test data that goes further.

What "PFAS-Free" Actually Means

The phrase "PFAS-free" has become a marketing claim, which means it needs to be interrogated. There are meaningful differences between a product with no intentionally added PFAS, a product that's been tested and shows no detectable PFAS, and a product that simply hasn't been tested — or was tested with a method that only looks for a short list of compounds.

A few test types you'll see:

• Targeted PFAS analysis — looks for a specific list of compounds. EPA Method 1633 covers 40 PFAS compounds and was built for environmental samples like water, soil, and sediment; some manufacturers now use it on turf materials. Older drinking-water methods such as EPA 537.1 cover fewer compounds.
• Total fluorine or total organic fluorine — measures fluorine overall rather than a fixed list, so it can flag PFAS that a targeted test would miss. The New Jersey review above describes both approaches being used on turf.

When a manufacturer or installer cites "PFAS-free" testing, ask which method was used, what material was tested (fiber, backing, infill), and what year — because product formulations change and older test results may not reflect current manufacturing.

Independence is the other key distinction. A manufacturer running internal QC on its own product is not the same as an outside laboratory testing product. A credible claim should come with a lab report — not a marketing statement in a brochure.

What Manufacturers Publish

A few manufacturers publish specific claims. Treat these as the companies' own statements and ask for the reports behind them.

SYNLawn

SYNLawn says its products are third-party tested, and that its EnviroLoc+ backing replaces up to 60% of traditional polyurethane with soybean-based polyols. Several of its systems carry the USDA Certified Biobased Product label.

FieldTurf

FieldTurf published results from testing by the consulting firm Gradient at two Northern California high school fields, using EPA Method 1633 across 40 PFAS compounds: no detectable PFAS in recently extruded fibers, and trace levels in legacy materials. That was athletic-field product, so ask how it applies to the specific landscape product you're being quoted.

The Questions Worth Asking Before You Sign

• Can I see the third-party test report? — Not the spec sheet. Not the product brochure. The lab report. If an installer can't get it on request, they can't back the claim.
• Which test method was used, and on what? — A targeted test on the fiber alone is a narrower answer than targeted plus total-fluorine testing across fiber, backing, and infill. If an installer doesn't know which method, that's an answer.
• What year was this product manufactured? — Older inventory may predate current formulations — or the testing that verified them. A test report on a recent batch doesn't vouch for older product still sitting in a warehouse.
• Who is the turf manufacturer? — Any installer who can't immediately name their manufacturer is operating with insufficient supply chain knowledge. Product provenance matters for documentation, warranty, and PFAS verification.
• What infill are you using? — Crumb rubber from recycled tires has a different risk profile than cork/coconut blends or silica sand. Ask specifically.

Red Flags and Green Flags

Red Flags

• Can't name the manufacturer — Vague answers about sourcing are a supply chain red flag — and a PFAS verification dead end.
• "Eco-friendly" with no documentation — Marketing language without a lab report means nothing. Ask what it's backed by.
• No knowledge of test method — If the installer can't tell you how the product was tested, the claim isn't verified.
• Old inventory product — Improvements in newer manufacturing batches don't apply retroactively. Year of manufacture matters.
• Crumb rubber infill as default — Still common, still cheaper, still carries a different risk profile. Not automatically disqualifying — but requires explanation.

Green Flags

• Third-party lab report on request — from an outside lab, for the product being installed.
• Named manufacturer with published test data — not just claims on a sales page.
• Broad testing — targeted testing plus a total-fluorine screen, across fiber, backing, and infill.
• Natural or low-concern infill specified — cork/coconut blends or silica sand rather than rubber.
• Knows manufacture year — Can tell you when the product was produced and match it to the test documentation.

What Xeris Specifies — and Why

When we spec artificial turf, we ask the manufacturer for current PFAS test documentation on the exact product we're quoting, and we share what they provide with you. For infill, we default to cork/coconut or silica sand over crumb rubber wherever the project allows.

We ask for current documentation rather than relying on an old certificate because formulations and raw-material sourcing change — and the only way to know what's actually going into a client's backyard is to check the current paperwork.

We also pair turf installations with native plantings where the design allows. Artificial turf doesn't have to be the only element — integrating turf areas with native perennials, decomposed granite, or drought-adapted shrubs gives the yard ecological depth it wouldn't have on its own.

Get an Estimate from an Installer Who Can Answer These Questions

Xeris Landscaping installs artificial turf across Denver, Lakewood, Arvada, and the surrounding metro. If you want a straight answer about what we'd install, what the documentation shows, and whether turf is even the right call for your yard — request an estimate. Our turf installs start at $10 per square foot; the turf cost guide has the full breakdown.