Adopted and approved on August 26, 2026 by the City and County of Denver acting by and through its Board of Water Commissioners

The Board of Water Commissioners finds that:

1. On March 25, 2026, the Board adopted Resolution #002-2026, Declaring a Stage 1 Drought and implementing certain actions designed to achieve system-wide water savings of 20%, effective from March 25, 2026 through April 30, 2027 or until further action by the Board. The Board’s findings in Resolution #002-2026 are incorporated herein.
2. The drought situation in Denver Water’s service area and water collection systems has continued to intensify and worsen since the Stage 1 Drought Declaration. More specifically:
   1. Denver Water’s water collection system watersheds are now in an Extreme to Exceptional Drought.
   2. Natural streamflow for the period of April to July in the collection system was 95,000 acre-feet, which is 22% of normal and marks the lowest level observed since recordkeeping began 110 years ago.
   3. The Denver metro area is experiencing the hottest year on record (through July) with average daily high temperatures five degrees above normal and four inches below normal precipitation.
   4. As of August 20, 2026, storage in Denver Water’s supply reservoirs is at 73% full, which is significantly lower than the historic median of 94% full for this time of year.
3. While the Stage 1 Drought Declaration targeted a system-wide reduction of 20% in water consumption, extreme hot, dry conditions have hindered customers’ ability to achieve this goal. With drought conditions worsening, Denver Water staff project storage supplies could drop to 60% before the 2027 runoff season.
4. Landscaping and irrigation practices must adapt to changing climate and hydrologic conditions to sustain the vibrant communities Denver Water serves, now and into the future.
   1. An estimated 5,000 acre-feet of water could be saved this year if irrigation of grass ceases after September 30. In contrast to Kentucky bluegrass, which is not sustainable in Colorado’s changing climate, water-wise landscapes (Coloradoscapes) consume on average 66% less water on a per-square-foot basis while providing environmental, aesthetic, water quality, and cooling benefits.
   2. At the same time, it is important to maintain the tree canopy and vibrant parks as these are vital community assets that provide public health, equity, community, and environmental benefits by reducing heat and carbon, providing places for exercise and recreation, and offering venues for communities and families to gather, among other values.
5. Implementation of further drought response measures is needed to conserve and manage water resources and protect public health and safety due to the severity of the current drought.
6. In order for Denver Water to meet its obligation to continually provide an adequate supply of water inside Denver as required by the Charter, a further drought response must be implemented requiring everyone who receives the Board’s water (inside and outside Denver, inside and outside the Combined Service Area, and lessees who receive nonpotable water and potable water under fixed-amount contracts) to reduce water use and participate in water conservation measures designed to achieve a system-wide reduction of 20% in water consumption.

Based on the foregoing findings and pursuant to Article X of the Charter of the City and County of Denver and Denver Water Operating Rules, the Board has determined that additional measures are needed to preserve the water supply. The Board takes the following actions effective on October 1, 2026, through and until further action of the Board:

1. Water Use Restrictions. The Board implements the following water use restrictions, except as permitted by a Denver Water approved water budget or variance:
   1. Irrigation.
      1. Grass Watering Restrictions. Watering of all grass is prohibited after September 30, 2026, unless one of the following written exceptions apply.
         1. High-Traffic Active-Use Areas. High-traffic, active-use grass areas (e.g., public parks, school grounds, athletic and playing fields, tee boxes, greens) may only be watered after September 30 pursuant to a Denver Water-approved water budget or variance.
         2. Grass Establishment Variance. Grass establishment is not allowed after September 30 except under special circumstances pursuant to an approved variance. Variances may consider factors such as plant type, area of disturbance, need, time of year, soil type, irrigation type, and other relevant factors (e.g., landscape restoration projects, landscaping that is required for certificates of occupancy, remediation, water-wise landscaping).
      2. Irrigation of Trees, Shrubs and Perennials. Trees, shrubs, and perennials may not be watered by spray irrigation but may continue to be watered any day by means of a hand-held hose with an automatic shutoff nozzle or low-volume non-spray irrigation.
      3. Irrigation of Annuals and Vegetables. Annuals and vegetables may not be watered by spray irrigation but may continue to be watered any day until the first frost after September 30 by means of a hand-held hose with an automatic shutoff nozzle or low-volume non-spray irrigation.
      4. Irrigation System Installation, Operation and Repair. An irrigation system may be operated for installation, repair or reasonable maintenance, so long as the system is attended throughout the period of operation and water waste does not occur. All irrigation control systems must be reprogrammed for operation in compliance with this Resolution.
   2. Washing of Vehicles.
      1. Personal Vehicles. At locations other than commercial car washes, washing of personal vehicles shall be done using a bucket or a hand-held hose equipped with an automatic shut-off nozzle.
      2. Fleet Vehicles. Vehicles in commercial operations or fleets may be washed no more than once per week unless public health or safety requires more frequent washing.
      3. Commercial Car Washes. Commercial car washes shall practice efficient use of water.
   3. Washing of Impervious Surfaces.
      1. Power Washing by Individuals. Power washing may not occur except for immediate health or safety reasons.
      2. Commercial Power Washing. Commercial enterprises for whom cleaning with water is an essential element of their business may power wash only as necessary, but they must clean without water prior to power washing, use only high-efficiency equipment and assure that water waste does not occur.
   4. Food and Lodging Establishments.
      1. Restaurants and Food Service Operations. Restaurants and catering businesses shall serve water only upon request.
      2. Lodging. Lodging establishments shall not change sheets more often than every four days for guests staying more than one night, except for health or safety reasons or upon express request of guests.
2. Fixed-Amount Contracts. The Board directs the following for water deliveries to lessees who receive nonpotable water or potable water under fixed-amount contracts:
   1. Delivery Reduction Agreements. For agreements with provisions for reduction in deliveries under drought conditions, the amount delivered shall be reduced by 20%.
   2. Curtailment and Use Restriction Agreements. For agreements with provisions requiring progressive curtailment or the adoption of the same or similar water use restrictions as the Board during drought conditions, the lessee shall implement the restrictions contained in Section 1 (Water Use Restrictions) of this Board Resolution.
   3. Recycled Water Agreements. For agreements involving recycled water deliveries, the Board is not reducing recycled water deliveries at this time to the extent that reusable return flows are available for treatment at the Recycle Plant (Operating Rule 15.01.2). Licensees are allowed to water under the conditions imposed in Denver Water Operating Rule 4.04 and must continue to follow the annual watering rules. If only water from storage is available for use in the Recycled Water system, recycled water licensees are to implement the restrictions contained in Section 1 of this Board Resolution and/or additional restrictions as determined by the Board.
   4. Time of Day Restrictions. For all fixed-amount contracts, water delivered by Denver Water shall not be used for outdoor watering between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. during all months of the year.
3. Operating Rules Remain in Effect. The Board directs that all provisions of the Operating Rules, including but not limited to rules regarding water conservation and prohibiting water waste, remain in full force and effect to the extent not superseded by this resolution.
4. Compliance. Grass watering after September 30 is an unauthorized use of water and a willful violation of the water use restrictions and Operating Rules. Willful violations are subject to all applicable enforcement provisions and penalties under the Operating Rules (as they exist now or may be modified in the future) and applicable licenses and contracts, including fines up to $2,000, installation of a flow restrictor, suspension of service and revocation of the tap license.
5. Water-Wise Landscapes. The Board encourages customers to plant water-wise landscapes.
6. Further Monitoring and Action. The Board directs the CEO/Manager and staff to:
   1. Implementation. Take all necessary actions to implement and enforce the provisions, restrictions, and conservation measures adopted in this Resolution.
   2. Landscape Transformation. Explore, promote, and support additional strategies to advance water-wise landscape transformation.
   3. Continued Monitoring. Continue to monitor current and projected water use, current and projected water supply reservoir contents, Colorado and South Platte basin water supply indicators, such as temperature, precipitation, snowpack, stream flow, and soil moisture, and recommend to the Board any changes or further action as may be necessary or prudent based on changes in conditions.
7. Effective Date. Board Resolution #002-2026 remains in full force and effect up to and through September 30, 2026. Board Resolution #002a-2026 becomes effective on October 1, 2026, through and until further action of the Board.