Low humidity and prevailing winds add to the water loss, but adding more water to such soils is not the answer. In Colorado, the best way to improve soil is to add organic matter to it slowly over the years. Partially decomposed compost, aged barnyard manure, pine needles, wood chips and leaves are some examples. By adding such materials, you are helping to break up the soil, thus improving aeration and drainage. First time Colorado gardeners should be careful not to add too much organic materials the first year, or you could cause a soluble salt problem.
Aeration is another good way to help open up the soil.
Lawn experts agree that a yearly core aeration is a good idea for Colorado lawns. It helps fertilizer, moisture and oxygen reach the roots and opens up our hard, compacted clay soils. Because our soils are high in clay, they tend to drain poorly. Overwatering can create drought stress in plants in a similar way that plants experience stress in dry soils. The only practical solution, again, is opening the soil with organic matter.