Understanding Colorado's Water Restrictions and Xeriscape Rules

Water Is a Managed Resource in Colorado

Colorado operates under the Prior Appropriation doctrine — the legal principle that water rights are allocated by seniority, not by proximity to the water source. This means that in drought years, junior water rights holders face restrictions before senior holders, and municipalities must actively manage their water supply with this in mind.

For homeowners, this means water restrictions aren't just a drought emergency measure — they're a permanent feature of landscape planning in Northern Colorado.

Permanent vs. Emergency Restrictions

Most Front Range municipalities have permanent year-round restrictions on outdoor watering:

• Time of day: No watering between 10 AM and 6 PM (or similar) during irrigation season. This is permanent, not drought-triggered.
• Day of week: Odd/even address-based watering schedules are common.
• Seasonal limits: Most municipalities prohibit irrigation before May 1 and after October 15 (approximate).

Drought-triggered restrictions (Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3) impose additional limits on top of permanent rules when water supplies are under stress.

New Residential Development: Turf Restrictions

Several Northern Colorado municipalities have adopted limitations on the amount of turf grass allowed in new residential landscapes:

• Boulder: Limits turf to a specific percentage of total landscaped area
• Erie: Has adopted water-wise landscaping standards for new construction
• Longmont: Encourages xeriscape through rebate programs and has standards for new commercial development

If you're building or buying a new home, verify the landscape standards that apply to your lot. Installing turf that exceeds allowed percentages creates compliance issues and may require removal.

Xeriscape Rebate Programs

Multiple Front Range water utilities offer rebates for converting high-water-use landscapes (primarily lawn) to water-efficient xeriscape:

• Cash-per-square-foot rebates for turf removal
• Rebates for installing drip irrigation
• Free or subsidized water-wise plant programs
• Free irrigation system audits

Pro Tip: Rebate programs change year to year. Check your specific water utility's website at the beginning of each year, as programs often open in spring with limited funding that's claimed by early applicants.

What Counts as Xeriscape?

Xeriscape is a landscaping approach that minimizes supplemental irrigation through design, plant selection, and soil improvement. It is not "zero-scaping" (bare gravel with no plants). A compliant xeriscape typically includes:

• Turf limited to functional areas
• Adapted and native plant species in beds
• 3–4 inches of organic or inorganic mulch
• Drip irrigation for all planted areas
• Permeable hardscape where possible

Updated on: 29/04/2026