Hello,

Thank you for your question and for your patience in waiting for a response.  

SOIL

I have searched your area on the USDA Web Soil Survey online tool:  https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/WebSoilSurvey.aspx.  Not knowing the location of your property, I suggest you look at the report for your location.

Another tool that would give more accurate information for your property is the Soil Testing service offered by CSU, and done by the Soils lab up on campus.  We have collection kits here at the Jeffco Extension office.  You collect the sample according to the directions provided and mail it up to campus.  Here is a link to the Soil Testing Lab website.

GRASS
Yes, Turf Type Tall Fescue may require the same amount of irrigation as Kentucky bluegrass (or more!) if rooting is restricted by poor soil.  It does produce short rhizomes, but data from Kansas State shows no improvement in lateral spread of the new RTF’s versus the very old K31 tall fescue and only 1/3 of the spreading ability of Kentucky bluegrass.  See Rhizomatous Tall Fescue on page 4 of K-State's Turfgrass.

Is your lawn shown in the photo you provided?  Great photo, by the way!  Are you looking for recommendations on seed varieties to plant, or only where to purchase?  The CSU GardenNotes #566 Sources of Grass Seed, Sod and Plugs for Colorado Lawns lists seed and sod sources for grasses that are listed in the CSU GardenNotes #561 Turfgrass Species Selection Guidelines.  The two I refer to most frequently are Arkansas Valley Seed Company and Pawnee Buttes Seed company.  Depending on how you use and maintain your grass you could consider a prairie-type seed mixture or a turf mixture.  For the latter a possible good option for your area is Pawnee Butte's Low Grow Mix.

Best regards,

Mari