DENVER -- From injecting lawns with water-absorbing polymer pellets to pouring beer and soda across the grass, homeowners and landscapers are trying several remedies to keep yards green, including spray painting.

Watering restrictions prompted by drought are resulting in brown lawns that have homeowners across the state scrambling for solutions.

Lesco Inc., an Englewood-based chemical supply company that sells a water-based paint to spray on lawns, reports sales have jumped 25 percent in the past few weeks. The paint doesn't harm the grass and it wears off after about a month, the company said.

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While most landscaping companies use the paint as quick fix for problem spots and don't market it as a complete cosmetic enhancement, the company expects homeowners to increasingly turn to the paint once the city bans lawn watering Oct. 1.

"I've had a few homeowners coming in and asking about it," said Terry Dwyer, Lesco's sales manager.

Emerald Isle, a Centennial-based commercial lawn care company has painted about eight lawns this summer, up from none a year ago.

Companies that spray paint lawns work primarily at office properties and condominiums, with the biggest users being golf courses. Homeowners occasionally use paint to prepare for special events, like weddings and parties, the Associated Press reported.

Meanwhile, homeowners are turning to other alternatives to keep their lawns green.

Mike Ryan of All Seasons Landscaping in Parker works with a firm that injects water-absorbing polymer pellets into lawns.

"A lot of people are either coming up with their own solutions or calling us and asking how they can keep their lawns green," he said. "We're really behind the eight ball on this one. We're all hoping that Mother Nature will just help us out."

Tim Heffron of Parker has a beer-based "lawn tonic" he says has given him the best lawn in his neighborhood, while reducing last month's water consumption by 2,000 gallons.

He applies the solution with a 10-gallon hose sprayer.

Heffron's recipe is:

1 can of regular beer
1 can of regular soda
1/2 cup of liquid soap
1/2 cup of liquid ammonia
1/2 cup of mouthwash

Heffron said the recipe orginated on a cable-tv show.