Denver Water has declared a Stage 1 drought
Stage 1 drought means Denver Water is asking customers to reduce their total water use (outdoors and indoors) by at least 20%, which will help stretch our water supplies and reduce the likelihood of increasing restrictions later this summer.
Mandatory outdoor watering is restricted to two days per week on assigned days and only allowed before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m.
| Customer type | Assigned watering days |
|---|---|
| Single-family residential: Even-numbered addresses. | Sunday and Thursday |
| Single-family residential: Odd-numbered addresses. | Wednesday and Saturday |
| All others (including multifamily and commercial). — Non-residential, large irrigation customers may be eligible for our 2026 Water Budget Program. | Tuesday and Friday |
In addition, customers will be required to follow Denver Water’s annual summer watering rules:
- Water only during cooler times of the day, between 6 p.m. and 10 a.m.
- Do not allow water to pool in gutters, streets and alleys.
- Do not waste water by letting it spray on concrete and asphalt.
- Repair leaking sprinkler systems within 10 days.
- Do not irrigate while it is raining or during high winds.
- Use a hose nozzle with a shut-off valve when washing your car.
It’s a drought. Use Only What You Need.
This year marks the fifth time since 2000 that Denver Water has issued a Stage 1 drought, and the first since 2013. Prior to 2013, the board declared a Stage 1 drought in 2002, 2003 and 2004.
Denver Water has many resources for homeowners looking for inspiration and information about landscapes that fit naturally into our dry climate. Click here for conservation and efficiency tips for outdoor irrigation and to get more details on ways to ColoradoScape your property, including through rebates for turf removal and a DIY guide for landscape changes, among many other potential water-saving steps.
Updates about Denver Water’s reservoir levels, customer water use and snowpack can be found in the Water Watch Report, which is updated weekly in the spring and summer.