Colorado's drought sparks lawn wars
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
A Denver home with a brown lawn sits next to another home with a bright green one in late July. Photo: Michael Ciaglo/For The Washington Post via Getty Images
Coloradans are keeping tabs on their neighbors' sprinklers as cities like Denver crack down on water use during one of the state's most punishing droughts in decades.
Why it matters: Extreme heat and scant precipitation are straining water supplies, turning neighborhood lawns into a public test of who's naughty or nice.
By the numbers: Denver Water has collected about 5,500 reports of possible watering violations from neighbors and other residents since the utility launched a tip line this summer.
- The utility has contacted about 4,500 customers to "educate them" on restrictions, issued roughly 130 formal warnings and just a dozen fines.
- Denver Water has largely been focused on education over punishment. Its personnel must also observe and document violations before issuing formal warnings, meaning a neighbor's complaint alone won't end in a fine.
Zoom out: Upholding lawn and order has become something of a community affair across the Front Range.
- Colorado Springs Utilities had received 155 online reports of excessive water use, daytime watering or sprinkler leaks as of late July — "definitely higher" than previous years, water conservation supervisor Julia Gallucci says. It's issued just three formal warnings and no fines.
- Aurora has sent roughly 1,700 warnings this summer, with the help of another enforcement tool: smart water meters that can detect consumption patterns consistent with irrigation.
- Boulder officials say they've also seen an uptick in residents calling about water use and suspected violations, though the city isn't formally tracking complaints or violations.
The other side: Despite all the snitching, water officials note most offenders aren't hardened sprinkler scofflaws.
- "Nine times out of 10 people are wanting to do the right thing and get into compliance," Aurora Water spokesperson Shonnie Cline tells us.
State of play: How much you're allowed to water depends on where you live.
- Denver and Aurora are limiting outdoor watering to two days a week.
- Boulder has a voluntary two-day limit, while Colorado Springs is sticking with its longstanding three-day rule.
And there's evidence those conservation efforts are making a dent.
- Denver customers have cut overall use about 5% compared with the five-year average, the utility tells us.
- Yes, but: That's still well short of its 20% reduction goal.
Meanwhile, Aurora says outdoor water use is down 24% from last year, beating its 20% reduction goal.
- Boulder says demand has remained near its five-year average despite the drought.
- And while Colorado Springs is running about 1.5% above its five-year average due to intense heat, it's decreased water use by 42% since 2001.
What's next: Water managers are already weighing restrictions into 2027.
- Aurora Water is recommending its limits stick through at least next year's spring runoff, Cline says. Another poor winter could prompt officials to seek a one-day-per-week watering limit.
- Denver Water, meanwhile, says worsening drought conditions are making its conservation target harder to reach and that it's discussing additional steps.
The bottom line: Denver Water has a message for anyone mourning their emerald green yard: "Brown lawns are a badge of honor right now."