September has a funny personality in Centennial. The calendar starts whispering “fall,” the afternoons can still feel decidedly summer, and Colorado homeowners know that cooler weather can arrive whenever it pleases.

That makes the week of September 2–8 an ideal little window for a few homeowner tasks that can save money now and prevent bigger projects later.

1. Give your lawn some attention while the timing is right

If your lawn is compacted, thin or looking worn after summer, early September may be one of the best times to tackle it.

Colorado State University Extension recommends late August through late September for core aeration, while the optimal Front Range window for seeding cool-season grasses such as bluegrass, ryegrass and fescue is roughly mid-August through mid-September.

Translation: if aerating or overseeding is on your fall list, this is not a “someday in October” project.

2. Stop watering the whole lawn to fix one brown spot

Before adding more minutes to every sprinkler zone, figure out whether that stubborn dry patch is actually thirsty.

CSU Extension suggests placing several straight-sided cans or mugs around the lawn while the sprinklers run. If the dry area receives less water than the green areas, you probably have a sprinkler coverage problem. If they receive similar amounts, the culprit may instead be compacted soil, thatch or root issues.

That five-minute experiment can save water, money and an impressive amount of sidewalk irrigation.

Remember that Centennial neighborhoods are served by different water providers, so always follow the rules for your specific district.

3. Schedule the furnace check before everyone else remembers winter exists

Your furnace may be happily sleeping through September, which is exactly why this is a good time to schedule its annual checkup.

ENERGY STAR recommends having heating systems professionally checked in the fall, before contractors become busier with winter service calls. Homeowners should also inspect their filters regularly and replace or clean them when dirty.

A September appointment is much more pleasant than discovering a furnace problem during the first genuinely cold Centennial morning.

4. Put a January reminder on your calendar now

Planning a larger home improvement project?

Centennial's Home Improvement Program can provide qualifying homeowners rebates of up to $300 for certain permitted projects. However, all available funding for 2026 has already been distributed. The City expects a new funding cycle to open in 2027 and recommends checking again in January.

So instead of forgetting about it, create a January reminder now. Future-you may collect a few hundred dollars simply because September-you was paying attention.

5. Protect the expensive plants, not just the grass

Trees and shrubs are major investments in both money and time. Colorado's dry fall and winter weather can be surprisingly hard on them.

CSU Extension recommends monitoring soil moisture and providing supplemental water during prolonged dry periods, particularly for newer trees and shrubs. Once colder weather arrives, water on days above 40°F when the ground is not frozen.

A little preparation now can protect years of landscape growth.

That is the idea behind Centennial Smarts: not adding more chores to your list, but choosing the handful of small things that make homeownership easier later.

Save the Saturday. Save the money. Save yourself the January furnace panic.

Now that is living better.