Black Forest, Colorado
Full-property landscapes, water features, patios and fire-wise planting for Black Forest acreage, designed for wells, pines and wide-open space.
Building in Black Forest
Black Forest properties give us room to work. We've built a full-property landscape here and a pond with a stream, both designed to sit naturally among the ponderosa.
Acreage brings its own questions: how much to landscape and how much to leave native, what a well can support, and how to keep the area around the house defensible. We help you draw those lines before anything is built.
What we do
One company for the whole yard, so the parts are planned together and built in the right order.
A full plan for the whole yard, built in the right order.
02Paver patios, walkways, steps and retaining walls on an open-graded base.
03Patios, walks and driveways, reinforced, jointed and sealed.
04Fire pits, pergolas, pavilions and outdoor kitchens.
05Low-water landscapes with real plants, rock and drip irrigation.
06French drains, dry creek beds, downspout lines and grading.
07Sod, trees, shrubs and perennials on prepared soil.
08Artificial grass for lawns, pet areas, putting greens and play areas, on a compacted base.
09Zoned sprinkler and drip systems set to your local watering rules.
10Low-voltage LED lighting for paths, steps, trees and patios.
Local knowledge
Since the 2013 fire, landscaping here starts with fire in mind. Rock and hardscape close to the house, low and well-spaced plants beyond it, and trees limbed up and thinned.
Most homes are on private wells, and many well permits limit how much ground can be irrigated. We design to your permit: small areas of lawn if any, drip on plantings, and natives that need little once established.
Black Forest is unincorporated El Paso County, so permits for walls and structures run through Pikes Peak Regional Building and the county rather than a city.
Our work
Every photo is a Puskas Landscape & Design project. Each caption names the town where it was built.
From our clients
“John immediately understood what my vision was for the yard -- turn it into a xeriscape wildflower meadow. Other contractors I spoke with had a hard time getting their heads around this, but John took the idea and ran with it, making excellent suggestions along the way.”
Jenny WeberXeriscape wildflower meadow · Google review
“We trusted John to give us a backyard we would actually want to use and he more than delivered. The whole process was fast, communication was amazing every step, and him and the team are so friendly and such hard workers.”
Alisan MatthewsBackyard redesign with retaining wall · Google review
Common questions
It depends on your well permit. Some allow a limited irrigated area and some allow household use only. Check your permit first, and we'll design within it.
Yes. We've built a pond and stream in Black Forest, with boulders and planting so it reads as a natural feature rather than an add-on.
Lightly. We avoid trenching through major roots, keep irrigation off the trunks, and use plants that tolerate dry shade and pine needles.
Start your project
Send a few details through the form. Here is what happens after you hit submit.
Someone from our team reviews your request and contacts you to schedule your in-person assessment.
John, the owner, walks your property with you. We look at grade, drainage, access and how you want to use the space, and take measurements.
Scope, materials and price, spelled out so you can see where every dollar goes.
Prefer to talk? (310) 227-3205
No spam and no pressure. Your information stays with Puskas Landscape & Design.