AURORA | Aurora lawmakers on Monday unanimously approved new drought restrictions that take effect immediately, marking a significant escalation in the city’s response to what officials describe as a deepening water supply crisis driven by record heat and drought.
The Aurora City Council agreed to formally adopt a Stage 1 drought declaration, following weeks of mounting concern among water managers and policymakers that the city’s reserves are under increasing strain.
“This is a water supply crisis,” said Marshall Brown, who briefed council members on the latest conditions. “The entire state is now in some level of drought, and the numbers we’re seeing are really concerning.”
While city water officials are asking residents and businesses to take it upon themselves and step up to reduce water consumption, mostly by limiting outdoor irrigation, the new restrictions will require residents and businesses to significantly curb outdoor water use.
City officials emphasized that immediate conservation will be critical to avoiding even harsher limits later this year.
While the restrictions on how much and when residents and businesses can irrigate lawns are spelled out, Marshall said the most important message he has for the public right now is that for those who haven’t started watering the grass, don’t. For those already watering the grass, stop.
The council’s vote follows March meetings in which lawmakers had already signaled support for the earlier and stricter watering rules. Since then, conditions have deteriorated further.
According to Brown, snow pack levels across the three river basins that supply Aurora have dropped to about 36% of the historical median. It’s among the lowest levels recorded in decades.
Reservoir storage has also declined, now sitting at roughly 57% capacity.
“This is the warmest start to a water year in 131 years,” Brown told the council. “We’re seeing impacts statewide, and Aurora is not immune.”
State officials are also escalating their response. Colorado has already activated Phase 2 drought measures, and a Phase 3 declaration, which could unlock federal assistance, is expected soon, Brown said.
The combination of low snow pack and early runoff has left water providers across the Front Range scrambling to preserve supplies.
Under the newly approved Stage 1 restrictions, residents are now limited to watering lawns no more than two days per week. Watering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. is prohibited, and city officials are pleading with residents to delay turning on irrigation systems until May 1.
Regardless, the rules take effect immediately, meaning any water use will be subject to new limits and potential surcharges starting with upcoming billing cycles.
And scofflaws watering outside of restrictions are immediately subject to the hefty fines, officials said.
City officials said that lawns may not look as green this year, and that residents should adjust their expectations.
“Kentucky bluegrass will likely go dormant,” Brown said. “It may not be lush and green, but it will survive.”
Unlike previous drought responses, Aurora plans to strictly enforce the new rules.
The city will issue a warning for a first violation, followed by a $250 fine for a second offense for single-family homes. Additional violations can escalate quickly, with penalties doubling at higher tiers. Commercial properties face even steeper fines, starting at $500.
Repeat violators could ultimately have their water service shut off after multiple offenses.
“We’re planning stricter enforcement than we’ve ever had before,” Brown said.
Residents will have seven days to correct violations, while commercial users will have three days, Brown said.
In addition to fines, the city is implementing drought surcharges. Households that exceed 110% of their winter water usage, considered a baseline for indoor consumption, will pay an additional $2.15 per 1,000 gallons.
Irrigation-only accounts, including golf courses and large landscaped areas, face even tighter rules. Their water allocations will be reduced by 20%, and surcharges will apply to all usage.
Monday’s discussion also focused on reported confusion among homeowners associations, developers and residents about landscaping rules.
Council members said they have received complaints from constituents worried they will be fined by their HOAs for letting lawns turn brown.
Brown clarified that under state law, HOAs cannot penalize residents for adopting water-wise landscaping or allowing grass to go dormant during drought conditions.
“HOAs are not allowed to fine people for dry landscapes,” he said. “We should expect to see browner landscapes this year.”
However, associations can still enforce design standards, such as approved plant lists and layout requirements.
Council members pressed staff to increase communication with developers, who have reported receiving mixed messages about new turf installations.
Stage 1 restrictions prohibit planting traditional cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass and fescue. Instead, developers and homeowners must use drought-tolerant alternatives, such as warm-season grasses or xeriscaping.
“We just need consistent messaging across departments,” said Councilmember Curtis Gardner.
City officials emphasized that the current drought is not just a short-term emergency but part of a broader trend toward a hotter, drier climate.
Council members highlighted ongoing efforts to reduce water use permanently, including converting public landscapes to more sustainable designs.
The city’s Parks, Recreation and Open Space department is planning to replace traditional turf in some areas with drought-resistant grasses like Tahoma 31 Bermuda grass.
“We live in an increasingly arid climate,” Gardner said. “This is the direction we’re headed.”
Even prominent spaces, such as large public lawns, will not be exempt from restrictions and may look noticeably different this year as a result.
To help residents adapt, Aurora is continuing to offer incentives for water-saving upgrades.
Programs include rebates for smart irrigation controllers, which can automatically adjust watering schedules based on weather conditions, as well as free landscape design assistance for converting lawns to drought-tolerant alternatives.
Brown said many older irrigation systems lack weather sensors, contributing to waste, such as sprinklers running during rains, a complaint raised by residents in recent weeks.
Newer systems, he said, can significantly improve efficiency and reduce unnecessary use.
“We’re encouraging people to take advantage of those programs,” he said.
Despite the new restrictions, officials warned that Aurora could still face even more severe limits later this year if conditions do not improve.
The city is already “borderline” for triggering Stage 2 restrictions, Brown said, which would likely limit watering to once per week. Stage 3 restrictions could eliminate outdoor irrigation entirely.
Avoiding those scenarios will depend heavily on how quickly and effectively residents reduce water use in the coming weeks.
“We’re really needing people to help us out,” Brown said. “Otherwise, we could be heading toward something much more dramatic.”
The next several weeks remain crucial for Aurora’s water outlook.
“This is not a normal year,” Brown said. “And it’s going to require a different level of response from everyone in the community.”
Restrictions highlights
• Outdoor watering is limited to two days per week on assigned days. Watering is prohibited between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Water schedules for Aurora addresses is at www.AuroraGov.org/drought
• Drought surcharges of $2.15 per 1,000 gallons will apply to water use above 110% of a customer’s winter quarter average, after normal “tiered rates” are applied.
• No fountains or other outdoor water features.
• Installing so-called cool-season turfs, such as blue fescue or Kentucky bluegrass, whether by sod rolls or by seeding the ground, is prohibited. Instead, so-called warm weather grasses, such as Tahoma 31 Bermuda grass, is allowed.
• Residents and businesses cannot fill private swimming pools, but “topping off” already filled pools is allowed.
• Water at restaurants is only served by request.
• Report water restriction violations and waste at AuroraGov.org/ContactUs
The arid west has a real opportunity here to abandon the Colorado River Compact, and come to a more realistic agreement based on what the actual average streamflows are at every year. If they won’t, well, they’ll get exactly what they deserve.
As of today, I will start the shower to wet myself, then shut if off while I soap up, then turn the water on to rinse – a military shower. My washer and dishwasher will be on low water settings. I will inspect the flappers in my toilets and replace them where needed. My wife and I intend to use water like the precious resource it is this summer, turning off all faucets promptly while we are cleaning the house. I’m retired, but I can do my part. I live in Aurora and love my diverse community!
We’re already following the showering regimen you described. We also keep a bucket in the shower to catch the water as it warms up, instead of it just going down the drain. This catches about half to a full gallon. We then pour that water around our trees. We’re happy to abide by the restrictions. It’s worth the effort.
The relentless promoting of Colorado as a Mountain West paradise has resulted in thousands of newcomers pouring in. They all require water. Developers, Big Real Estate, and others using this influx of residents to line their pockets should be sanctioned. The more people that move in the lower the quality of life for everyone here includng the use of precious resources. Colorado cannot support infinite growth.
“Developers, Big Real Estate, and others using this influx of residents to line their pockets should be sanctioned.”
LOL.
How it started: “Hey, Colorado is the most amazing place to live! We’re a progressive sanctuary state and everyone here loves drugs! Look at how many people want to move here!”
How it’s going: “OMAHGURD look at all these people, it’s too much! Developers should be punished for trying to build housing for all of them!”
If the city of Aurora water situation continues to deteriorate the California drought bathroom slogan may come into play later this summer: “If it’s brown flush it down….if it’s yellow let it mellow.”