SUBJECT:
Title
Drought and Water Restrictions
Department
DEPARTMENT: Utilities
Environmental Services
Presenter
PRESENTER(S): Todd Fessenden, Utilities Director
Dylan King, Sustainability and Water Conservation Specialist
end
Time
TIME ESTIMATE: 30 minutes
end
Fiscal
FISCAL SUMMARY:
N/A
Policy
POLICY ISSUES:
The Council must decide whether to support best practice water conservation efforts including implementing a restriction of a two-day per week watering schedule with a potential third day based on specific temperature and drought triggers.
Recommendation
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Support two-day mandatory water restriction implementation.
Body
SUMMARY/KEY POINTS
• Staff are bringing this to Council to discuss current drought conditions, confirm support for a two-day per week mandatory water restriction (potential third water day based on specific temperature and precipitation triggers), and begin the conversation and process for potential additional drought-based restrictions in the 2026 irrigation season.
• To date, the 2025-2026 winter season in Colorado is unusually warm and dry, with roughly 50% less snow than a typical season and among the lowest levels recorded since late 1987. These conditions have created “snow drought” conditions for much of the state, raising concerns for the spring runoff, potential water restrictions, and increased wildfire concerns.
• Staff are monitoring conditions and collaborating with partners across the state to ensure that Erie is ready to respond as needed to water conditions and needed drought response.
BACKGROUND OF SUBJECT MATTER:
Colorado is experiencing a significant winter snow drought, driven largely by unusually high temperatures and limited snowfall across the state. According to the Colorado Climate Center, snowpack measured through SNOTEL sites across the state reached its lowest mid-winter level since at least 1987 this season. November through January ranked among the warmest on record in Colorado and these conditions raise concerns for the summer months ahead including spring runoff, water supply, and wildfires.
Erie’s water supply is heavily dependent on mountain snowpack with 80% of the Front Range drinking water sourced from winter snowfall. This makes the region’s snow water equivalent (SWE) an important indicator of the available water throughout the year.
Staff request the support of Town Council to implement two-day per week water restrictions beginning in April. These restrictions are best practice across the state and arid west, bringing Erie in line with its neighbors as well as preparing the community for potential future drought declarations and related restrictions per the Drought and Supply Shortage Plan.
Staff will continue to monitor evolving drought conditions and collaborate with regional organizations. Water allocations will be announced by Erie’s largest water partners in late spring, however, with current conditions, staff find it important to implement water restrictions best practices now. This includes two-day per week watering schedules and water windows (times of day that residents can water).
If supported, staff will return to Council with a restriction resolution as well as regular communication as more information and data is available.
priorities
.
attachments
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Presentation
2. Memo
3. Water Conditions Monitoring Committee Climate Update February 2026
4. Drought & Supply Shortage Plan