Morrison CO Water Restrictions 2026

Current water restrictions in Morrison, Colorado

Morrison is under Active Water Restrictions, limiting outdoor watering to 2 days per week, as mandated by the Town of Morrison Town Council and administered by Town of Morrison Water.

The restrictions were triggered by a severe supply shortfall in the South Platte Basin. The 2025–26 winter delivered the worst snowpack on record for the basin — 42% of normal — which directly reduces the seasonal runoff that refills Bear Creek and the local groundwater sources Morrison's independent water system depends on. The Town of Morrison does not import water from Denver Water or a regional authority; it operates its own system, making local conservation essential to maintaining pressure and supply through the summer peak season.

The broader Front Range context underscores the severity. Colorado is under a statewide emergency drought designation, with over 20 Front Range municipalities under mandatory watering schedules. Denver Water declared Stage 1 drought restrictions in March 2025, and communities like Erie have reached Level 4 emergency status with all irrigation prohibited. Morrison has not reached that threshold, but its small independent system and record-low snowpack make the 2-day limit a firm baseline, not a guideline.

Morrison's permanent population of roughly 450 residents is supplemented heavily by summer tourism traffic to Red Rocks Amphitheatre and Dinosaur Ridge. That seasonal surge in people does not increase residential water demand directly, but it places background pressure on the town's infrastructure — which means permanent residents bearing down on conservation has outsized impact on system resilience.

Practically speaking: no, a resident cannot water their garden on a Wednesday morning unless Wednesday is their assigned watering day. Even on allowed days, watering between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM is prohibited. Watering is only permitted during the overnight and early morning window of 6:00 PM to 10:00 AM. Contact Town Hall at 303-697-8749 or visit morrisonco.us to confirm your specific assigned days.

Morrison's watering days and hours

The Town of Morrison has not published a strict address-parity schedule tied to street numbers. The even/odd day suggestions — Tuesday and Saturday for even-numbered addresses, Wednesday and Sunday for odd-numbered addresses — serve as a framework to spread demand across the system rather than a codified rule. Because Morrison's water infrastructure serves a very small base, Town Hall can answer specific questions about your property address quickly. Call 303-697-8749 before assuming your days are correct.

Multi-family properties and commercial parcels within Morrison's town limits are subject to the same 2-day weekly limit. There is no separate commercial watering tier at this restriction level. If you manage a multi-unit building with a shared irrigation controller, the entire property counts as one account — both schedule days apply to all zones on that system, not one day per unit.

When planning which plants and trees to prioritize on your two allowed days, Morrison's riparian and foothills environment supports several species that require deliberate irrigation during drought. Narrowleaf cottonwood (Populus angustifolia), native to Bear Creek's corridor, suffers irreversible cambium damage when soil moisture stays critically low for more than three to four weeks. Gambel oak, which covers the canyon slopes above town, is more drought-tolerant but young or transplanted specimens still need supplemental water during record-low snowpack years. Rocky Mountain maple in residential yards should also be prioritized — established trees are costly to replace and cannot recover quickly from drought stress at Morrison's 5,800-foot elevation. Use your allowed watering windows to deep-soak these trees rather than spreading water thinly across turf.

Violation fines and enforcement

Enforcement in Morrison is handled directly by Town of Morrison staff, not a regional utility enforcement team. Because the town is small — fewer than 500 permanent residents — enforcement is largely observation-based and complaint-driven rather than automated. Morrison does not currently operate an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) network that flags usage spikes in real time, so staff respond to neighbor reports and direct observation during patrols. Given the tight-knit nature of the community and the visibility of most residential properties along Morrison Road, Bear Creek Avenue, and the surrounding canyon streets, violations are relatively easy to spot. Do not assume that a small town means low enforcement activity; Town Hall takes the 2-day limit seriously given the record-low snowpack situation in 2025.

If you receive a violation notice and believe it was issued in error — for example, your drip system or hand watering was misidentified as prohibited automated irrigation — contact Town Hall at 303-697-8749 promptly. The town's small staff structure means appeals are handled directly rather than through a bureaucratic queue, but responding quickly matters. Document your watering controller settings or timestamps as evidence before contacting staff.

Other outdoor water rules

Beyond lawn and landscape irrigation, the following outdoor water uses are regulated or restricted during Morrison's current 2-day restriction period. Because Morrison sits at the mouth of Bear Creek Canyon and lacks the large commercial zones of Front Range suburbs, the most relevant restrictions for most residents involve vehicles, decorative water features, and construction.

• Vehicle washing: Washing cars, trucks, or recreational vehicles at home is discouraged and may be restricted — use a commercial car wash with water recycling systems where possible. If washing at home, a shut-off nozzle is required on all hoses.
• Decorative fountains and water features: Recirculating fountains are generally permitted because they do not discharge water. Non-recirculating decorative flows — including gravity-fed features that drain to landscape — should be shut off.
• Pool filling and topping off: Initial pool fills require Town approval at this restriction level. Topping off existing pools to compensate for evaporation should be minimized; use a pool cover to reduce losses at Morrison's dry, high-altitude climate.
• Pressure washing: Non-essential pressure washing of driveways, decks, and exterior walls is prohibited under water restriction conditions. Use a bucket and brush for necessary cleaning.
• Construction water use: Contractors operating within Morrison's town limits must coordinate with Town Hall for water use permits. Dust suppression and concrete curing are subject to the same conservation requirements.
• New lawn installation: Defer seeding or sodding new turf areas during the active restriction period. Contact Town of Morrison Water for establishment variances if construction completion timelines require it.

How Morrison gets its water

Morrison operates an independent municipal water system — it does not purchase treated water from Denver Water or Jefferson County. The town's supply draws from two primary sources: Bear Creek, which runs directly through the center of town at the mouth of Bear Creek Canyon, and local groundwater accessed via wells tapping into alluvial aquifer deposits associated with the Bear Creek corridor.

Bear Creek originates high in the foothills and Rocky Mountain front range west of Morrison, fed primarily by snowmelt from the upper watershed. In a normal year, spring snowmelt sustains creek flows well into June, allowing the town's diversion infrastructure to capture and treat surface water before summer demand peaks. In 2025, with South Platte Basin snowpack at 42% of normal — the worst on record — Bear Creek's seasonal runoff pulse was dramatically shortened and reduced, limiting how much the town could bank in storage before the summer irrigation season began.

The groundwater component of Morrison's supply provides some buffer when surface flows are low, but alluvial aquifer levels respond to the same precipitation deficits that reduce creek flows. In dry years, both sources are stressed simultaneously. Morrison does not have access to transmountain water diversions or large reservoir storage comparable to what Denver Water's system provides through Dillon Reservoir or Gross Reservoir — the town's storage capacity is limited, making real-time conservation by residents directly tied to system reliability.

Water withdrawn from Bear Creek is treated at Morrison's local treatment facility before distribution. Because the system is small and self-contained, any leak on the distribution side — a dripping hose bib, a broken sprinkler head, a cracked service line — represents a proportionally larger loss than it would on a large metro system. The Town strongly encourages residents to inspect irrigation systems before each use and repair leaks immediately rather than waiting for a contractor, given that local irrigation service availability in a mountain community of Morrison's size is limited.

HOA and brown lawn protections

Colorado law protects Morrison residents from HOA enforcement actions related to brown or dormant lawns caused by mandatory water restrictions. Under Colorado Revised Statutes § 37-60-126, a homeowners association may not fine, penalize, or threaten a homeowner for allowing their lawn to go brown or dormant when the property is subject to mandatory watering restrictions imposed by the local water provider. Town of Morrison Water's current Active 2-Day Restriction qualifies as such a mandatory restriction.

If your HOA sends a violation notice or threatens a fine for lawn appearance while Morrison's active restrictions are in force, you are not obligated to comply with any demand to increase watering beyond the town's 2-day limit. Document the restriction status by saving a copy of the current notice from morrisonco.us. You can also call Town Hall at 303-697-8749 and ask for written confirmation of the active restriction stage, which you can submit directly to your HOA.

Use the following template to respond to an HOA violation notice:

"This property is currently subject to mandatory outdoor watering restrictions imposed by Town of Morrison Water under the Town of Morrison's Active Water Restriction — 2 Days Per Week order. Under Colorado Revised Statutes § 37-60-126, a homeowners association may not impose fines or penalties on a property owner for landscape conditions that result from compliance with a mandatory watering restriction. I am in full compliance with the Town of Morrison's current restrictions and cannot increase outdoor watering without violating town ordinance. Please withdraw this violation notice."

If your HOA continues to pursue enforcement after receiving this notice, contact the Colorado HOA Information and Resource Center at the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) for guidance on filing a complaint.

Keeping your lawn alive on restricted water

Morrison sits at approximately 5,800 feet elevation on the Front Range, placing it squarely in a cool-season grass climate. The grasses that actually survive and establish well here are cool-season varieties that go dormant under summer heat stress and recover in fall — not the warm-season grasses used in lower-elevation arid or subtropical climates.

At Morrison's elevation, cool-season grasses like Kentucky Bluegrass and Tall Fescue should be mowed at 3 to 3.5 inches during summer drought conditions — not shorter. Taller blade height shades soil, reduces surface evaporation, and keeps root zones cooler, which is critical when you only have two watering windows per week. Avoid fertilizing during active drought and restrictions; nitrogen pushes growth that demands water the system cannot support. If your Kentucky Bluegrass goes brown in July, do not panic — it is dormant, not dead, and will green up in September with cooler temperatures and fall precipitation.

The most drought-resilient long-term choice for Morrison properties is transitioning cool-season turf areas to native or xeric alternatives. Blue Grama and Buffalograss are both native to Colorado's Front Range climate, require a fraction of the water Kentucky Bluegrass demands, and tolerate Morrison's freeze-thaw cycles without winterkill. The Colorado State University Extension office provides free guidance on transitioning turf to native species. Given that 2025 delivered record-low snowpack and Front Range drought conditions are intensifying structurally, the two-day restriction environment may become the baseline rather than the exception — native grass conversion is worth planning now rather than after another severe season.

Morrison water restriction FAQ

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

The Town of Morrison suggests even-numbered addresses water on Tuesday and Saturday, and odd-numbered addresses water on Wednesday and Sunday. However, the town has not codified a strict address-parity rule, so you should call Town Hall at 303-697-8749 or check morrisonco.us to confirm your specific assigned days. Do not assume the suggested schedule is final without verification.

What hours can I run my sprinklers in Morrison?

Irrigation is permitted only between 6:00 PM and 10:00 AM. Running sprinklers between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM is prohibited every day, including on your allowed watering days. This midday ban reduces evaporation loss, which is significant at Morrison's 5,800-foot elevation with low humidity and afternoon sun intensity.

Can I water my garden by hand on non-scheduled days in Morrison?

Yes. Hand watering with a shut-off nozzle is exempt from the 2-day schedule restriction. You may water vegetable gardens, container plants, or individual landscape plants by hand any day of the week. The shut-off nozzle requirement is mandatory — open-ended hoses are not permitted under any active restriction level in Morrison.

Does Morrison use smart meters that can detect if I water on the wrong day?

Morrison does not currently operate a real-time advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) system that automatically flags usage outside allowed windows. Enforcement relies on staff observation and resident complaints. However, in a town of under 500 permanent residents where most irrigated properties are visible from public streets, off-schedule watering is easy to spot. Do not treat the absence of automated detection as a green light for violations — Town staff actively patrol during drought restriction periods.

Can I install new sod or overseed my lawn during the current Morrison restrictions?

New lawn installations should be deferred during the active 2-day restriction period. Newly seeded or sodded areas require daily watering to establish, which conflicts directly with the 2-day weekly limit. If your situation — such as a post-construction landscaping requirement — genuinely requires new turf establishment, contact Town of Morrison Water at 303-697-8749 to request an establishment variance. Variances are not guaranteed and may require documentation of the underlying need.

Can I fill or top off my pool at my Morrison home right now?

Topping off an existing pool to compensate for evaporation should be minimized during active restrictions. Initial fills of new pools require Town approval at this restriction level — contact Town Hall before scheduling a fill. Using a pool cover is the most effective way to reduce evaporation loss at Morrison's dry, high-altitude climate, where evaporation rates are higher than at lower-elevation Front Range cities.

My HOA said my brown lawn violates community standards. Do I have to comply?

No. Under Colorado Revised Statutes § 37-60-126, HOAs cannot fine you for lawn dormancy caused by compliance with mandatory municipal water restrictions. Morrison's current Active 2-Day Restriction qualifies as a mandatory restriction. Notify your HOA in writing, cite CRS § 37-60-126, and include documentation of the active restriction from morrisonco.us. If the HOA continues enforcement, contact the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies HOA Information and Resource Center.

Are there any rebates or conservation programs available to Morrison residents right now?

Morrison's independent water system is small and does not administer rebate programs at the scale of Denver Water or Aurora Water, which offer landscape transformation rebates and smart controller incentives. However, Jefferson County and the South Platte Coalition for Urban River Evaluation (CURE) periodically offer regional conservation resources accessible to Morrison residents. Contact Town Hall at 303-697-8749 to ask about any current programs, and check morrisonco.us for updates. Colorado State University Extension also provides free water-wise landscaping guidance relevant to Morrison's Front Range foothills climate.

What time can I water in Morrison?

Watering is allowed 6:00 PM – 10:00 AM. Watering outside these hours is a violation even on your assigned day.

What are the fines for watering violations in Morrison?

First offense: Check morrisonco.us. Repeat violations: Enforcement is handled by Town of Morrison staff. Penalties for violations are outlined in the town’s ordinance — check morrisonco.us for the current fine schedule or call Town Hall at 303-697-8749.. Contact Town of Morrison Water for the full enforcement schedule.

When will water restrictions end in Morrison?

Current Active Water Restrictions — 2 Days/Week restrictions are in effect through Ongoing — check morrisonco.us. Monitor https://www.morrisonco.us for the latest status.

How do I report a water waste violation in Morrison?

Contact Town of Morrison Water at 303-697-8749 or visit https://www.morrisonco.us. Most utilities accept online reports and respond within 48 hours.