Colorado's snowpack is sitting at historic lows. The South Platte Basin is at just 42% of normal, and on March 25, Denver Water declared its first Stage 1 drought since 2013. Across the Front Range, mandatory watering restrictions are rolling out earlier and are stricter than most of us have seen in over two decades.
Last updated: March 30, 2026
Watering restrictions are changing rapidly this spring. We'll update this page as new rules are announced. If your community's rules have changed since this was published, let us know.
The Big Picture: What's the Same Everywhere
Before we get into the specifics, there are a few things that apply almost universally across the Denver Metro this year.
No outdoor watering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. This isn't new, but it's now mandatory in nearly every community, not just a suggestion. Watering during the heat of the day wastes up to 50% of the water to evaporation, and every provider on the Front Range has made this a hard rule.
Keep your sprinkler systems off until mid-to-late May. Denver Water, Thornton, Broomfield, and Arvada are all urging customers to leave automatic irrigation systems winterized through at least mid-May. Your turf doesn't need supplemental water in March and April when temperatures are still cool, and we're getting periodic moisture. If you have newly planted trees or shrubs that need attention, hand-watering with a hose is the way to go right now.
Two days a week is the new baseline for most of the metro. If you're served by Denver Water, Aurora Water, or Thornton, you're limited to two assigned watering days per week for the foreseeable future. That's a meaningful change from the three-day standard most of us are used to.
Denver Water Customers (Denver, Sheridan, Littleton, parts of Lakewood, Wheat Ridge, Centennial, and Lone Tree)
Official Denver Water outdoor watering rules →
Denver Water serves the largest footprint on this list, so if you live in the City and County of Denver (including neighborhoods like Berkley, Green Valley Ranch, and Park Hill), or in Sheridan, Littleton, or parts of several surrounding cities, these rules apply to you.
Stage 1 Mandatory Restrictions are in effect now through October 1st. Your assigned watering days depend on your address and property type. Single-family homes with even-numbered addresses water on Sundays and Thursdays. Odd-numbered addresses water on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Multifamily properties, commercial properties, HOAs, and government facilities water on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Fines start at $250 for a second offense after an initial warning, and jump to $500 for a third. Denver Water is also developing a drought surcharge on high-volume outdoor use that could take effect later this season.
On the positive side, Denver Water is offering turf removal discounts of up to $750 through Resource Central, plus rebates on smart irrigation controllers and free sprinkler system audits.
Aurora Water Customers (Aurora, parts of Centennial)
Official Aurora Water watering times page →
Aurora is expected to formally declare Stage 1 restrictions on April 7, with rules taking effect the following day. The situation here is especially serious. Aurora officials have described it as the most dire water supply outlook in recent memory, and Stage 2 restrictions are possible before the year is out.
Once Stage 1 takes effect, even addresses will water on Thursdays and Sundays, and odd addresses on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Beyond the standard rules, Aurora is prohibiting private pool filling, banning decorative water features, and not allowing any new lawn installations this season.
Aurora's enforcement is notably aggressive for 2026. Fines escalating from $250 and up, with repeated violations potentially resulting in water shutoff. The city is using smart meters that monitor usage in 15-minute intervals, so off-schedule watering will be detected quickly.
Thornton
Official Thornton Water restrictions & drought page →
Thornton was one of the first communities to act, declaring Stage 1 drought on March 15. Their approach is slightly different: you're limited to two days per week, but you choose your own two days rather than following an assigned schedule.
No sprinkler use is allowed until May 1. After that, new sod or seed permits will be available for May, June, September, and October only. Notably, no new lawn installation permits will be issued for July or August at all.
Fines starting at $100.
Westminster and Federal Heights
Official Westminster drought information →
Westminster hasn't declared a formal drought yet, but a Drought Watch is expected to be announced at the April 7 council meeting. The city shares Standley Lake with Thornton and Northglenn, and supply levels are tracking near 2002 lows. Federal Heights gets about 98% of its water from Westminster, so whatever rules Westminster enacts will apply there too.
For now, the guidance is voluntary: two to three days per week, no watering during the 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. window, and a general request to conserve. Mandatory rules with specific assigned days and fines are likely coming in April.
Arvada
Official Arvada water restrictions page →
Arvada declared Stage 1 drought on March 24 and is finalizing mandatory watering day assignments, expected to take effect around April 7. Since Arvada purchases roughly 75% of its water from Denver Water, the assigned schedule will likely mirror Denver Water's even/odd framework.
Broomfield
Official Broomfield water use and drought restrictions →
Broomfield is unique in that it already has a permanent year-round watering ordinance with assigned days, regardless of drought conditions. Even addresses water on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Odd addresses water on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. The maximum is three days per week, and the 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. no-watering window is mandatory year-round.
With the current Drought Watch, Broomfield is asking residents to voluntarily drop to two days per week and keep sprinklers off until May 1.
Northglenn
Official Northglenn drought watch page →
Currently at Stage 1 Voluntary, which means watering no more than three times per week and staying within the 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. window. Council is actively considering escalation to Stage 2 Mandatory, which would bring assigned days, drought surcharges, and potential shutoffs for violations.
Highlands Ranch (Centennial Water & Sanitation District)
Official Highlands Ranch Water homepage →
Highlands Ranch operates under a Drought Watch and uses a water budget system where each property gets an allocation based on lot size. Exceeding your budget triggers tiered surcharges. Right now, the district is encouraging customers to limit watering to two days per week. If Stage 1 is formally activated, expect assigned days (odd addresses on Sundays/Wednesdays, even on Saturdays/Tuesdays) and mandatory 15-20% reductions.
Parker (Parker Water & Sanitation District)
Official Parker Water watering restrictions →
Parker is in a somewhat better position thanks to the Rueter-Hess Reservoir, and no mandatory restrictions are in place as of today. That said, assigned watering days are part of Parker's standard rules: even addresses on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays; odd addresses on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Parker also offers $750 turf removal discounts and free sprinkler consultations.
Commerce City and Henderson (South Adams County Water)
Official South Adams County Water homepage →
The South Adams County Water & Sanitation District delayed the start of the 2026 watering season by three weeks, pushing it to May 4 instead of the usual mid-April. Their standard schedule is three days per week on assigned odd/even days. Mondays are reserved for special-use permits only.
Brighton
Official Brighton watering restrictions →
Brighton's seasonal restrictions run May 1 through September 30 with three assigned days per week (no watering on Thursdays for any address). No sod installation for areas over 200 square feet is allowed during the restriction period. Fines start at $125 for residential violations.
Erie
Official Erie drought information →
Erie is in the most severe situation on the Front Range right now. The town declared a Level 4 Water Supply Emergency on March 20 after demand ran 30% above normal and the town came within a couple of days of running out of water. All residential sprinkler systems were ordered off immediately. The town is expected to begin allowing limited irrigation in early April on an odd/even schedule.
Lafayette
Official Lafayette water efficiency page →
Lafayette has had a permanent water conservation ordinance since 2013, limiting watering to three days per week year-round (you choose your own days) with the standard 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. prohibition. Fines range from $100 to $500 for repeat violations. The city offers a strong lineup of conservation programs, including $750 lawn replacement rebates and free smart controller installations.
Englewood
Official Englewood watering schedule →
Englewood operates independently from Denver Water with its own mountain water sources, and as of today, restrictions remain voluntary. Three days per week is the recommended maximum. The city doesn't anticipate mandatory restrictions but is monitoring conditions.
Frederick, Firestone, and Dacono
Frederick water conservation → | Firestone water conservation → | Dacono water conservation →
These Carbon Valley communities each operate their own water systems. Frederick has a contingency plan ready to activate (three days per week, assigned odd/even) but hasn't pulled the trigger yet. Firestone is at voluntary conservation only. Dacono has no published mandatory restrictions. All three could implement new rules before summer, so keep an eye on your town's website using the links above.
What This Means for Your Property
If your irrigation system is still winterized, that's actually the right move for now. Resist the urge to fire up sprinklers early this spring, and get your activation on the schedule. When the time does come to start watering, here are the things that will make the biggest difference:
Know your provider and your assigned days. The most common violation is watering on the wrong day, and enforcement is real this year. If you're not sure who provides your water, check your utility bill.
Audit your sprinkler system when you turn it on. Broken heads, misaligned rotors, and leaking valves waste enormous amounts of water. ACA's Sprinkler Activation service comes with a sprinkler audit. Most providers offer free or subsidized sprinkler audits through Resource Central's Slow the Flow program, and it's a smart move even if your system seems fine.
Think about where your water is actually going. If you have turf areas that nobody walks on or uses, this is the year to seriously consider converting them to drought-adapted landscaping. Multiple providers are offering $750 or more in rebates and discounts for turf removal, and the long-term water savings are substantial. We'll provide you with a free, custom quote for a xeriscaping project.
Upgrade your controller. A Wi-Fi-enabled smart irrigation controller adjusts watering based on weather conditions and can be programmed with your specific assigned days and time windows. Some providers offer rebates on these.
If you manage commercial properties or HOA common areas, make sure your landscape contractor understands exactly which provider serves your property and what the assigned schedule is. Commercial fines are significantly higher than residential fines in most jurisdictions, and Aurora's commercial penalties can reach $2,000 per violation.
We're Here to Help
At A Cut Above Landscape, we manage irrigation systems across the Denver Metro every day. We know the rules for each community, we can audit your system for efficiency, and we can help you navigate the transition to a two-day watering schedule without sacrificing the health of your landscape. If you have questions about your specific situation, reach out. We'd rather help you get ahead of this than watch you get a fine.