Question
I just moved to a new house with an acre of land (Denver Colorado - zone 5). The back field is a combination of wild grass and weeds and bare dirt. I have agility equipment out there and train my two dogs. I would like to seed it with a variety of grass that will grow quickly, is hardy and tough (can take dogs running on it) and doesn't require a lot of watering (like kentucky bluegrass).

Thanks.

Answer
Morganne:

Unfortunately, you live in an area which does not allow the summer grasses to perform well, like Bermuda, St. Augustine and centipede.  These varieties repair themselves easily.

Winter grasses require regular maintenance in order to repair traffic damage.  Fescue varieties which perform well on athletic fields are:
Elisa, Titan Ltd, Apache III, Endeavor,
Tar Heel, Olympic Gold, Jaguar 3.
SR 8550, Dominion, Masterpiece,
Silverstar, Tulsa II, and Bingo
Further, in athletic field applications, bluegrass i smixed with fescue for better performance.  I do not water my bluegrass except to get it started.

Overseeding in fall and spring will replant damaged grass areas.  But these grasses do not have rhizomes or stolons which cover bare areas well.

Soil fertility, pH and moisture are prerequisites to a healthy lawn.  I would topdress the area with a high quality compost, till into the top four inches to soil and plant.  Wild grasses may be your best bet if they cover well enough.

Check with your local ag agent for native grasses which may do well for that use.  Combined with a fescue, you may be able to establish a servicable turf.

Best wishes.