Centennial CO Water Restrictions 2026

Current water restrictions in Centennial, Colorado

Centennial is under Stage 1 Mandatory restrictions issued by Denver Water, limiting outdoor watering to 2 assigned days per week through October 1, 2026.

Denver Water declared Stage 1 drought conditions on March 25, 2025, triggering mandatory scheduling requirements across its service territory. Portions of Centennial located in Arapahoe County are served directly by Denver Water and fall under these Stage 1 rules immediately. If your water bill comes from Denver Water, these restrictions apply to your address right now.

The declaration followed declining storage levels in Denver Water's mountain reservoir system, including below-average runoff from the South Platte and Blue River watersheds feeding Dillon Reservoir. Colorado is experiencing a state-level emergency drought across the Front Range, with more than 20 municipalities already operating under mandatory schedules — Erie has gone as far as Level 4 Emergency with all irrigation prohibited.

Stage 1 is the least severe of Denver Water's four drought stages, but it is still mandatory, not voluntary. Ignoring the schedule risks a written warning followed by escalating fines.

Practically speaking: if your address is odd-numbered, your assigned watering days are Wednesday and Saturday. If it is even-numbered, your days are Sunday and Thursday. On those days, you may not run sprinklers or irrigation between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. A resident with an odd address cannot water their garden on a Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. — that is allowed. The same resident cannot water at all on a Tuesday, regardless of time. Hand watering with a shut-off nozzle and drip irrigation are exempt from the day restriction.

Contact Denver Water directly at 303-893-2444 or visit denverwater.org to confirm which stage is currently active and whether your Centennial address falls within their service boundary.

Your assigned watering schedule

Rule	Details
Days per week	2
Day assignment	Even addresses: Sunday and Thursday; Odd addresses: Wednesday and Saturday
Allowed hours	Any time except 10 a.m.–6 p.m. on your assigned days
Hand watering	Exempt from day restriction — shut-off nozzle required at all times
Drip irrigation	Exempt from day restriction
New sod or seed	30-day establishment window typically available — register with Denver Water before installation

Your watering day is determined by the last digit of your street address number. An address ending in 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8 is even — you water Sunday and Thursday. An address ending in 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9 is odd — you water Wednesday and Saturday. This applies to the physical property address, not a PO box or mailing address.

The prohibited mid-day window — 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. — exists because evaporation rates along the Front Range are highest during those hours, particularly at Centennial's elevation of roughly 5,900 feet where solar intensity is significant. Running sprinklers before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. on your assigned days satisfies the rule. Early morning watering, typically between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m., is the most efficient window.

Multi-family residential and commercial properties served by Denver Water follow the same address-based day assignment. Property managers should confirm the service address on record with Denver Water, as the billing address and property address occasionally differ for large complexes. Commercial accounts with landscaping on irrigation timers should audit controller settings immediately to ensure compliance with the restricted hours.

If you have recently installed new sod or seeded bare turf, contact Denver Water at 303-893-2444 to register for the new-plant establishment exemption before starting a more frequent watering schedule. Without registration, extra watering days are a violation even during establishment.

Mature trees in Centennial deserve special attention during Stage 1. Bur oak, honeylocust, and blue spruce — all common in Arapahoe County landscaping — are deep-rooted but suffer long-term canopy damage if restricted too severely during drought. Drip irrigation or slow-release soaker hoses at the drip line of these trees are exempt from the two-day schedule and are the recommended method for keeping established trees alive through the restriction period.

Fines and penalties

Offense	Penalty
First violation	Written warning
Second violation	Escalating fine (amount increases with each subsequent violation)
Repeated violations	Further escalating fines; potential service flow restriction device

Denver Water enforces Stage 1 restrictions through a combination of smart meter data, field patrols, and customer complaints. Denver Water has deployed advanced metering infrastructure across much of its service territory, which means unusually high flow on a non-assigned watering day can flag a potential violation automatically. Inspectors also conduct visual patrols in neighborhoods where complaints are concentrated. If a neighbor submits a complaint through Denver Water's website or by calling 303-893-2444, an inspector will typically follow up within a few business days.

The first offense results in a written warning, not an immediate fine. That warning is documented in your account history, so a second violation within the same season escalates directly to a monetary fine. Denver Water has the authority under its tariff rules to install a flow-restricting device on accounts with chronic violations — effectively limiting your water pressure as an enforcement measure. If you believe a violation notice was issued in error, Denver Water has a formal review process; contact their customer service line promptly, because appeal windows are short and the burden is on the account holder to demonstrate compliance.

Other outdoor water rules

Stage 1 restrictions at Denver Water cover more than sprinkler schedules. The following activities have specific rules for Centennial customers during the current drought stage:

• Car washing at home: Allowed only with a hand-held hose fitted with a self-closing nozzle. Leaving a hose running unattended while washing a vehicle is prohibited.
• Commercial car washes: Permitted — commercial facilities recirculate water and are not subject to the residential watering schedule.
• Swimming pools and hot tubs: Filling a new pool or topping off an existing pool is permitted, but must use a cover to reduce evaporation. Decorative splash pools without covers should remain drained.
• Ornamental fountains: Recirculating fountains are permitted. Non-recirculating fountains that discharge water must be shut off.
• Pressure washing: Allowed for health and safety purposes (mold, algae) but not for routine cleaning of driveways or patios when a broom would suffice.
• Construction water: Dust suppression and concrete curing are generally permitted under Denver Water's construction accounts, but contractors should confirm current allowances directly with Denver Water.
• Restaurant water service: Denver Water asks restaurants to serve water only upon customer request during active drought stages — a requirement many Front Range establishments already follow voluntarily.

Centennial's water supply and source

Centennial's water supply depends on which utility serves your specific address. The portions of Centennial in Arapahoe County that are served by Denver Water draw from a regional system anchored by Dillon Reservoir on the Blue River in Summit County, which is Denver Water's largest storage facility at roughly 257,000 acre-feet capacity. Water from Dillon travels east through the Harold D. Roberts Tunnel beneath the Continental Divide and enters the South Platte River watershed before being treated and distributed.

Denver Water also draws from Gross Reservoir on South Boulder Creek (currently undergoing a major expansion under the Gross Reservoir Expansion Project), Cheesman Reservoir and Strontia Springs Reservoir on the South Platte River, and Williams Fork Reservoir on the Williams Fork River. These interconnected storage facilities give Denver Water a multi-basin portfolio, but they all depend on annual precipitation and Rocky Mountain runoff — which have both run below historical averages in recent years.

Water is treated at Denver Water's Marston Water Treatment Plant and Foothills Water Treatment Plant before reaching distribution mains in Arapahoe County. The Foothills plant, located near Morrison, is one of the largest water treatment facilities in the Rocky Mountain region.

Other portions of Centennial are served by the South Arapahoe Metropolitan District, Centennial Water and Sanitation District, or South Suburban Water and Sanitation District, each of which may purchase treated water from Denver Water wholesale or draw from separate South Platte allotments. If your bill does not come from Denver Water, contact your district directly to confirm whether equivalent Stage 1 rules apply — many South Platte-dependent districts in Arapahoe County have issued parallel mandatory schedules in response to the same Front Range drought conditions.

HOA rules during water restrictions

Colorado law protects homeowners from HOA enforcement actions when drought restrictions cause lawns to turn brown. Colorado Revised Statute § 37-60-126 prohibits a homeowner association from fining or penalizing a property owner for brown or dormant turf when the homeowner is complying with a mandatory water restriction order issued by a governmental authority or water provider. Because Denver Water's Stage 1 declaration is a mandatory governmental restriction, any Centennial HOA that fines you for a drought-dormant lawn during the current restriction period is acting outside what state law permits.

The protection applies specifically when you are following the restriction schedule. If your lawn browns because you are watering on wrong days or during prohibited hours, the HOA protection does not apply — you would be in violation of both the water order and your HOA covenant simultaneously.

If your HOA sends a violation notice or fine related to lawn appearance during the Stage 1 restriction, send a written response referencing the statute and the Denver Water order. Below is a template you may adapt:

"Dear [HOA Name] Board: I am writing in response to your notice dated [date] regarding lawn appearance at [address]. Under Colorado Revised Statute § 37-60-126, a homeowners association may not impose a fine or penalty for brown or dormant turf when the property owner is in compliance with a mandatory water restriction issued by a governmental authority. My property is currently served by Denver Water, which declared Stage 1 Mandatory drought restrictions on March 25, 2025. I am watering on my assigned days and within permitted hours. I respectfully request that this notice be rescinded. Please contact Denver Water at 303-893-2444 or denverwater.org to confirm the active restriction order."

Keep a copy of your watering log and any communication with Denver Water as documentation should the dispute escalate.

Lawn survival guide for Centennial

Grass Type	Drought Tolerance	Min. Weekly Water (Stage 1)	Dormancy Risk
Kentucky Bluegrass	Low–moderate	1.0–1.5 inches	Goes dormant quickly; recovers when watered
Tall Fescue	Moderate	0.75–1.0 inch	Holds color longer than bluegrass under stress
Buffalograss	High	0.25–0.5 inch	Native to Colorado plains; rarely needs supplemental water once established
Blue Grama	Very high	0.25 inch or less	Thrives in Centennial's semi-arid climate with minimal irrigation

Most Centennial lawns are planted in Kentucky Bluegrass, the dominant turf on the Front Range — and it is the most water-demanding option on this list. Under a two-day restriction, established Kentucky Bluegrass will likely go partially dormant by mid-July in a drought year. That dormancy is not death; the root system survives and the lawn greens up when watering resumes or temperatures drop in September. Do not overcompensate on your two allowed days by running irrigation for extended periods — saturating soil beyond the root zone wastes water without benefiting the turf and can cause fungal issues. At Centennial's elevation and in Colorado's dry climate, fungal pressure is lower than in humid states, but overwatering still creates conditions for necrotic ring spot in bluegrass.

Raise your mower deck to 3 to 3.5 inches during drought stress. Taller grass blades shade the soil, reduce surface temperature, and slow moisture loss significantly. Avoid fertilizing cool-season grasses like bluegrass and tall fescue during the heat of summer — nitrogen pushes top growth that demands water the plant cannot efficiently receive under a two-day schedule. If you are considering a long-term turf conversion, Denver Water's Turf Replacement Rebate Program provides financial incentives for replacing Kentucky Bluegrass with low-water alternatives including Buffalograss and Blue Grama, both of which are native to Colorado's eastern plains and well-suited to Centennial's clay-loam soils.

Frequently asked questions

What days can I water at my Centennial address right now?

It depends on whether your street address number is even or odd. Even-numbered addresses (ending in 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8) are assigned Sunday and Thursday. Odd-numbered addresses (ending in 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9) are assigned Wednesday and Saturday. On your two assigned days, you may not run sprinklers or automated irrigation between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Watering outside your assigned days — regardless of time — is a violation under Denver Water's Stage 1 mandatory order.

When do these restrictions end in Centennial?

The current Stage 1 Mandatory restriction is in effect through October 1, 2026, unless Denver Water updates the drought stage before that date. Denver Water evaluates reservoir storage levels and streamflow data seasonally; conditions could trigger escalation to Stage 2 or, if storage recovers, a relaxation of the schedule. Monitor denverwater.org or sign up for their customer alerts to get notified of any stage change that affects your Centennial address.

My Centennial address is served by a local water district, not Denver Water directly — do these rules still apply?

Not automatically, but probably yes in practice. Several districts serving Centennial — including the South Arapahoe Metropolitan District and Centennial Water and Sanitation District — purchase treated water from Denver Water or draw from the same South Platte system under pressure from the same Front Range drought. Most have issued parallel mandatory schedules. Check your water bill for the billing entity, then call that district directly to confirm their current stage and schedule. Do not assume Denver Water's rules apply if a different district name appears on your bill.

Does Denver Water use smart meters to catch violations in Centennial?

Yes. Denver Water has been deploying advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) across its service territory, and smart meter data can flag accounts with high-flow activity on non-assigned watering days. A pattern of off-schedule consumption will draw an inspection or complaint follow-up. Enforcement is not limited to neighbor reports — the meter data itself can initiate a violation review.

Can I water newly planted trees and shrubs more than twice a week?

Drip irrigation and hand watering with a shut-off nozzle are exempt from the two-day schedule under Denver Water's Stage 1 rules. If you have recently planted a bur oak, serviceberry, or other tree that needs more frequent establishment watering, use drip emitters or a soaker hose rather than overhead spray. Overhead sprinkler systems running outside your assigned days are not exempt, regardless of what you are watering. For new sod or seeded areas, register with Denver Water at 303-893-2444 before starting an establishment watering regimen.

What rebates does Denver Water offer for replacing my Centennial lawn?

Denver Water's Turf Replacement Rebate Program pays customers to remove water-intensive Kentucky Bluegrass and replace it with low-water or native plantings. Rebate amounts and program caps change seasonally — visit denverwater.org and search "turf replacement" for current per-square-foot rates and application instructions. Applications must typically be approved before removal begins. Denver Water also offers a Water Efficient Landscapes rebate for smart irrigation controllers that adjust watering based on weather data, which can help Centennial homeowners stay within their two assigned days while keeping plants healthier.

Can I fill or top off my swimming pool during Stage 1 in Centennial?

Yes, pool filling is permitted under Stage 1, but Denver Water requires that pools have a cover in place to reduce evaporation losses. Centennial's low humidity and high-altitude sun cause significant pool evaporation compared to lower-elevation cities, making the cover requirement both enforceable and genuinely effective at saving water. Decorative fountains that do not recirculate water should be turned off. If your pool has a recirculating water feature, it may continue operating.

Can my Centennial HOA still require green grass during the Denver Water Stage 1 order?

No. Colorado Revised Statute § 37-60-126 prohibits your HOA from fining you for brown or dormant turf when you are complying with a mandatory restriction issued by a water provider like Denver Water. The key condition is that you are following the Stage 1 schedule — watering only on your assigned days, outside the 10 a.m.–6 p.m. window. If you receive an HOA notice anyway, respond in writing citing CRS § 37-60-126 and the Denver Water Stage 1 declaration dated March 25, 2025. Keep documentation of your watering schedule and any correspondence with Denver Water as supporting evidence.

What time can I water in Centennial?

Watering is allowed Not 10am-6pm. Watering outside these hours is a violation even on your assigned day.

What are the fines for watering violations in Centennial?

First offense: Written warning. Repeat violations: Escalating fines. Contact Denver Water for the full enforcement schedule.