Aurora and Arvada latest to impose water restrictions

Colorado has seen a historically dry winter with temperatures at record highs this March, making for one of the state’s warmest and driest winters on record.

With the weather this week hitting the mid to high eighties, Denver residents are beginning to see the effects of “El Niño” with Denver Water moving to watering restrictions after the board declared Stage One drought conditions on last month.

Other cities and counties are following, or have followed, suit in anticipation of a hot, dry summer.

Denver Water is seeking a 20% reduction in water use for its 1.5 million customers, the first time since 2013 that it has instituted restrictions.

Depending on where you live in the metro area, water restriction rules are changing rapidly. Here’s everything you need to know by city and county as of April 7:

ARVADA

Restrictions: Stage 1 restrictions as of Wednesday, April 15, 2026
What that means for customers: Because Arvada gets the majority of its water from Denver Water, it will be following the same restrictions put in place in the city. Customers in single-family residential properties may water no more than two days per week and must follow a set schedule where addresses ending in even numbers can water on Sunday and Thursday and odd numbers on Wednesday and Saturday. All other properties, such as commercial and multi-family properties, can be watered on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Occasional hand-watering may be necessary for trees and shrubs during this time. Officials urged users not to turn on sprinkler systems until May.
More information: Read the full declaration from the City of Arvada

AURORA

Restrictions: The Aurora City Council declared a Stage I Water Shortage on April 6, going into effect on April 7.
What this means for residents: The city started its water restrictions a month early, on April 7, after a “bleak” water supply from low snowpack this winter. That means implementing a mandatory two-day per week watering limitation with no watering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Also, people cannot fill up backyard pools or water fixtures, like fountains.
More information: Read the full statement from Aurora Water here.

BOULDER

Restrictions: “Boulder currently has no water restrictions as of March 25, 2026. The city of Boulder is monitoring conditions and will decide whether drought and water use restrictions are necessary on or around May 1.”
What this means for residents: Nothing yet.
More information: Visit the city of Boulder’s website for more information on water restrictions.

DENVER

Restrictions: Stage 1 restrictions as of Wednesday, March 25, 2026
What that means for customers: Effective immediately, Denver Water customers in single-family residential properties may water no more than two days per week and must follow a set schedule where addresses ending in even numbers can water on Sunday and Thursday and odd numbers on Wednesday and Saturday. All other properties, such as commercial and multi-family properties, can be watered on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Occasional hand-watering may be necessary for trees and shrubs during this time. Officials urged users not to turn on sprinkler systems until May.
More information: Read the full declaration from the Denver Board of Water Commissioners

DOUGLAS COUNTY

Restrictions: A Drought Watch was issued on March 1 for the Highlands Ranch Water service area.
What that means for customers: The approach for Highlands Ranch water is to “get ahead of the season by helping customers understand current conditions” by asking their customers to be more conscious of how much they are using. This means that during extended periods of dryness, customers should water by hand or with a hose-end sprinkler attachment, watering slow and deep once every two weeks, only watering are above 40 degrees and when there is no snow and watering mid-day to avoid nighttime freezing.
More information: Read the full statement from Highlands Ranch Water here.

ERIE

Restrictions: Erie has issued a Stage 4 “Water Supply Shortage Emergency Determination.”
What this means for residents: Erie’s approach is to first target the reduction of water usage at parks and open spaces, where the town has ceased water irrigation and watering on city properties through the end of March.
More information: Get more information on which parks will be impacted along with restrictions at each stage, here.

THORNTON

Restrictions: Thornton has begun Stage 1 Restrictions, effective March 15, 2026
What this means for residents: The City of Thornton is asking residents to wait to turn on sprinkler systems until May, to continue watering trees, shrubs and other non-turf landscaping, to water vegetable gardens and other gardens only as needed and to avoid installing new sod or grass seed during drought. They have also set up a 2-day watering guide based on the type of sprinkler.
More information: Get the full details on restrictions in Thornton as well as the 2-day watering guide, here.