Colorado Springs CO Water Restrictions 2026

Current water restrictions in Colorado Springs, Colorado

Colorado Springs is under Stage 1 Mandatory restrictions, limiting outdoor irrigation to 2 days per week on assigned watering days. Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU), the city-owned utility serving over 500,000 residents along the southern Front Range, declared these restrictions in response to ongoing drought conditions affecting the Pikes Peak region and the broader Arkansas River basin.

The Stage 1 declaration aligns with widespread drought stress across Colorado's Front Range. Denver Water activated its own Stage 1 drought restrictions in March 2025, Erie escalated to a Level 4 Emergency prohibiting all outdoor irrigation, and the Eagle River corridor reached Stage 3 — all reflecting a statewide emergency drought designation affecting more than 20 Front Range municipalities simultaneously.

CSU's Stage 1 triggers are tied to monitored storage levels in the utility's primary surface water system, which includes Rampart Reservoir and the Southern Delivery System infrastructure. When storage and streamflow projections fall below defined thresholds, Stage 1 mandatory schedules activate automatically under CSU's Water Shortage Management Plan.

Practically, this means a resident cannot simply water their garden on a Wednesday morning whenever they feel like it. You must water only on your two assigned days, and only outside the 10 a.m.–6 p.m. window — meaning early mornings before 10 a.m. or evenings after 6 p.m. Watering on a non-assigned day or during restricted midday hours is a violation, even if your lawn appears to need it. Restrictions remain in effect until conditions improve, with no fixed end date announced.

Colorado Springs's watering days and hours

Rule	Details
Days per week	2
Day assignment	2 assigned days per week based on address
Allowed hours	Before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. only
Hand watering	Exempt — shut-off nozzle required on hose
Drip irrigation	Exempt from day restrictions
New sod/seed	30-day establishment window — register with Colorado Springs Utilities before installation

Under CSU's Stage 1 schedule, residential customers are assigned watering days based on their service address, typically using odd/even street addressing or a zone-based calendar published on the CSU website at csu.org. Customers unsure of their assigned days should log into their CSU account or contact the utility directly, as day assignments are tied to account records and may differ from neighboring addresses on the same block.

Multi-family residential properties and commercial accounts are subject to the same two-day-per-week restriction, but large-scale irrigation systems serving common areas or commercial turf are expected to be programmed and audited accordingly. CSU's WaterSense-certified irrigation specialists can perform site assessments for commercial customers to ensure controller schedules comply with Stage 1 rules without over-watering on permitted days.

Colorado Springs sits at roughly 6,000 feet elevation, and several locally prominent trees are under stress during drought conditions and warrant prioritized hand watering or drip irrigation on non-scheduled days — both of which are exempt from the two-day rule when done correctly. Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii), a native foothill species common in Westside Colorado Springs neighborhoods, Austrian pine (Pinus nigra), widely planted across older Broadmoor-area properties, and honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos), common in newer northeast Colorado Springs developments, are all at elevated risk of permanent root damage during prolonged dry spells. A slow drip at the tree's drip line for two to three hours, using a hose with a shut-off nozzle, is permitted any day under current Stage 1 rules.

Violation fines and enforcement

Offense	Penalty
First violation	Written warning — no fine
Second violation	Monetary fine issued by Colorado Springs Utilities
Continued violations	Escalating fines; potential flow restrictor installation

Colorado Springs Utilities enforces Stage 1 restrictions through a combination of field patrols by CSU conservation staff, smart meter data analysis, and resident complaint reports submitted via the CSU website or customer service line. CSU's Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) network — which covers a substantial portion of the Colorado Springs service area — can flag unusual usage patterns consistent with midday irrigation or off-schedule watering events, allowing staff to follow up without requiring a neighbor complaint. Enforcement response times for reported violations typically run within a few business days during peak summer periods when complaint volume is highest.

If you believe a violation notice was issued in error — for example, your drip system ran on a non-assigned day, which is exempt — CSU has a formal appeals process through its customer service department. Contact CSU in writing within the timeframe noted on your violation letter, referencing your account number, the specific exemption that applies, and any supporting documentation such as irrigation controller logs or a recent system inspection record.

Other outdoor water rules

Beyond lawn and garden irrigation schedules, Stage 1 restrictions in Colorado Springs cover several other outdoor water uses. The following activities are regulated or recommended for conservation under current CSU guidelines:

• Vehicle washing: Washing cars, trucks, and recreational vehicles at home is permitted only with a hose equipped with an automatic shut-off nozzle. Commercial car washes that recycle water are the preferred alternative under Stage 1.
• Swimming pools and hot tubs: Initial pool fills and topping off are permitted but should be minimized. CSU encourages pool covers to reduce evaporation — a significant loss factor at Colorado Springs's semi-arid 6,035-foot elevation.
• Pressure washing: Pressure washing of driveways, sidewalks, and exterior surfaces is discouraged unless necessary for health or safety reasons. Dry sweeping is the recommended alternative for hardscapes.
• Fountains and decorative water features: Ornamental fountains that do not recirculate water should be shut off during Stage 1 conditions. Recirculating fountains are permitted.
• Construction water use: Dust suppression and construction-related water use on active sites must use the minimum effective amount. CSU may coordinate with the City of Colorado Springs Development Services for compliance on permitted projects.
• Runoff: Irrigation that produces measurable runoff into gutters or drainage channels is prohibited at any stage. This is enforced independently of the day/time watering schedule.

How Colorado Springs gets its water

Colorado Springs draws its water from a combination of surface water and trans-mountain diversion systems managed by Colorado Springs Utilities. The city is not served by a single source — it operates one of the more complex water portfolios on the Front Range, reflecting its semi-arid climate and growing population.

The primary surface water sources include the Arkansas River and its tributaries, supplemented by transmountain diversions from the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project (also called the Fry-Ark Project), which moves water from the Western Slope through the Sawatch Range to the Arkansas River basin. Water from the Fry-Ark system is stored in Turquoise Lake near Leadville and in Twin Lakes Reservoir before being released into the Arkansas River for diversion downstream.

Locally, CSU stores and manages water at Rampart Reservoir, located northwest of Colorado Springs in the Pike National Forest. Rampart receives water pumped from the South Platte River system via the Homestake Pipeline and from the Arkansas River system. The Southern Delivery System (SDS) — a major pipeline and pumping infrastructure completed in 2016 — moves treated water from Pueblo Reservoir northward to Colorado Springs, serving as a critical redundancy and drought-supply backbone for the city.

Water treatment occurs primarily at the Ray Nixon Power Plant corridor and the Mesa Treatment Plant. CSU also holds shares in the Homestake Reservoir on the Eagle River through its joint ownership with Aurora Water. During drought years, the balance between Arkansas River direct flow, Fry-Ark diversions, Pueblo Reservoir storage, and Rampart storage levels determines how quickly CSU escalates from Stage 1 toward higher restriction stages.

Colorado's Rocky Mountain snowpack feeds all of these systems — a late or poor snowpack year in the Sawatch, Mosquito, and Tenmile ranges translates directly into reduced summer flows and storage entering the Arkansas River watershed that supplies Colorado Springs.

HOA and brown lawn protections

Colorado law protects Colorado Springs homeowners from HOA enforcement actions related to brown or dormant lawns during mandatory water restrictions. Colorado Revised Statutes § 37-60-126 prohibits homeowners associations from fining or penalizing a resident for allowing their lawn to go brown or dormant when a government-declared water shortage or mandatory restriction is in effect. Because CSU's Stage 1 Mandatory restrictions constitute exactly such a declaration, your HOA legally cannot issue fines for a lawn that browns out as a direct result of compliance with the two-day watering schedule.

This protection applies specifically during declared shortage periods and does not grant a permanent exemption from HOA landscaping standards. Once CSU lifts Stage 1 restrictions, HOA covenants resume full enforceability. Keep a copy of CSU's Stage 1 declaration (available at csu.org) and any CSU communications noting the restriction dates in case you need to document the protected period.

If your HOA sends a violation notice during active Stage 1 restrictions, respond promptly in writing. Below is a template you can adapt:

"Dear [HOA Board/Management Company]: I am writing in response to the landscaping notice dated [date]. My lawn's current condition reflects my compliance with the Stage 1 Mandatory water restrictions declared by Colorado Springs Utilities, currently in effect for all CSU customers. Under Colorado Revised Statutes § 37-60-126, homeowners associations are prohibited from imposing fines or penalties for drought-related lawn dormancy during a declared water shortage. I request that this notice be rescinded and that no fine be assessed. I am happy to provide documentation of the current CSU Stage 1 restriction upon request."

Keeping your lawn alive on restricted water

Colorado Springs lawns are predominantly cool-season grasses suited to the city's 13-inch average annual precipitation, high elevation, and wide temperature swings. Warm-season grasses common in Denver's hotter urban core occasionally appear in Colorado Springs but are marginal this far south along the Front Range at elevation.

Grass Type	Drought Tolerance	Minimum Water (per week)	Dormancy Risk at 2 Days/Week
Kentucky Bluegrass	Low–Moderate	1.0–1.5 inches	High — will go dormant quickly
Tall Fescue	Moderate	0.75–1.0 inches	Moderate — deeper roots help
Buffalograss	High	0.25–0.5 inches	Low — native to semi-arid plains
Blue Grama	Very High	0.25 inches	Very Low — handles drought dormancy well

At Colorado Springs's elevation, mowing height matters significantly during water stress. Raise your mower deck to 3 to 3.5 inches for Kentucky Bluegrass and Tall Fescue — taller grass shades root zones, reduces soil temperature, and slows evaporation between watering days. Kentucky Bluegrass is the dominant lawn grass in established Colorado Springs neighborhoods, and it will go visibly dormant (straw-brown) under two-day restrictions during July and August heat. This is survivable dormancy, not death — do not panic-water in violation of Stage 1 rules. Most established bluegrass lawns recover when restrictions ease and fall rains arrive.

If you have Buffalograss or Blue Grama — native shortgrass prairie species increasingly promoted by CSU's water-wise landscaping program — two days per week is often more than enough water. These grasses evolved in Colorado's semi-arid Front Range environment and can sustain on as little as natural precipitation during all but the driest stretches. CSU's Water Wise program actively incentivizes conversion of Kentucky Bluegrass to native and adaptive low-water turf species through its turf replacement rebate, which is worth investigating if your lawn repeatedly struggles under seasonal restrictions.

Colorado Springs water restriction FAQ

What days can I water my lawn in Colorado Springs right now?

Under Stage 1 Mandatory restrictions, you are limited to 2 assigned days per week, determined by your service address. Your specific assigned days are tied to your Colorado Springs Utilities account. Log in at csu.org or check your utility bill for your watering day assignment. Watering on any day outside your two assigned days is a violation, even during the permitted morning or evening hours.

What hours am I allowed to water in Colorado Springs?

You may water only before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. on your assigned days. Irrigation between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. is prohibited under Stage 1 rules, regardless of the day. This restriction reduces evaporative loss during peak sun hours, which is especially significant at Colorado Springs's semi-arid high-elevation climate where afternoon humidity can drop below 15% in summer.

Does Colorado Springs Utilities use smart meters to catch watering violations?

Yes. CSU has deployed Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) smart meters across a large portion of its service territory. These meters transmit usage data at short intervals, allowing CSU conservation staff to identify irrigation events by time of day and cross-reference them against assigned watering days. A midday spike consistent with a sprinkler system running at noon can be flagged without anyone physically observing your yard. Neighbor reports submitted through CSU's website also trigger enforcement follow-up.

Can I wash my car at home in Colorado Springs right now?

Yes, but only with a hose fitted with an automatic shut-off nozzle — a standard requirement under CSU water use rules regardless of restriction stage. Letting water run continuously from an open hose while washing a vehicle is prohibited. Commercial car washes that recycle and reclaim water are the preferred alternative during Stage 1 conditions and are generally more water-efficient than home washing even under normal conditions.

What rebates does Colorado Springs Utilities offer for replacing my lawn?

CSU's Water Wise Turf Replacement Rebate pays customers to remove water-intensive Kentucky Bluegrass and replace it with low-water native or adaptive plants, mulch, or permeable hardscape. Rebate amounts vary based on square footage removed and the replacement landscape type. Customers must apply and receive pre-approval from CSU before beginning removal — projects completed without pre-approval are not eligible. Visit csu.org or call CSU's conservation department to get the current rebate rate and application requirements, as amounts are periodically adjusted.

Is drip irrigation exempt from the two-day watering schedule?

Yes. Drip irrigation systems, soaker hoses, and targeted root-zone watering for trees and shrubs are exempt from the day-of-week restrictions under Stage 1 rules. You may run a properly installed drip system any day of the week. However, drip systems must not produce surface runoff, and use should still be targeted and efficient — CSU conservation staff can flag accounts with drip systems showing unusually high gallonage even during exempt watering.

My HOA sent me a fine for a brown lawn. Is that legal during Stage 1 restrictions?

No. Colorado Revised Statutes § 37-60-126 explicitly prohibits HOAs from fining Colorado Springs homeowners for lawn dormancy or browning that results from compliance with a declared mandatory water restriction. CSU's Stage 1 Mandatory restriction qualifies as exactly such a declaration. Respond to the HOA in writing, cite the statute, reference the active CSU Stage 1 order, and request that the fine be rescinded. Keep records of all correspondence in case the HOA does not comply and you need to escalate to the Colorado HOA Information and Resource Center.

How do I report a neighbor who is violating watering restrictions in Colorado Springs?

Reports can be submitted directly to Colorado Springs Utilities through the contact and reporting tools available at csu.org. Provide the address of the property, the date and time you observed the violation, and a brief description (e.g., sprinklers running at 2 p.m. on a non-assigned day). CSU conservation staff will follow up, typically with a site check or account review. First-time violations result in a written warning; subsequent confirmed violations lead to fines. Anonymous reports are accepted.

What time can I water in Colorado Springs?

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

When will water restrictions end in Colorado Springs?

Current Stage 1 Mandatory restrictions are in effect through Until conditions improve. Monitor https://www.csu.org for the latest status.

Can I hand water during Colorado Springs water restrictions?

Yes. Hand watering with a hose fitted with a shut-off nozzle is generally allowed on any day during permitted hours. Drip irrigation and soaker hoses are also typically exempt from the day-of-week schedule. Confirm specifics with Colorado Springs Utilities.