What days can you water your lawn in Denver?
As of June 2026, Denver Water is under a Stage 1 drought (declared March 25, 2026) that limits outdoor watering to 2 assigned days per week – down from the normal 3 – through October 1, with a goal of cutting use 20%. No watering is allowed between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Assigned days: even-numbered addresses water Sunday and Thursday, odd-numbered addresses Wednesday and Saturday, and commercial, HOA, and multifamily properties Tuesday and Friday. A temporary drought surcharge also applies to higher outdoor use. Skip a scheduled day when it rains.
Source: Denver Water / CSU Extension. Updated 2026-06-15.
| Rule | Detail (Denver Water, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Current stage | Stage 1 drought (declared March 25, 2026) |
| Days per week (now) | 2 assigned days (mandatory) |
| Normal schedule | Up to 3 days per week (May 1 – Oct 1) |
| Even-numbered addresses | Sunday & Thursday |
| Odd-numbered addresses | Wednesday & Saturday |
| Commercial / HOA / multifamily | Tuesday & Friday |
| Prohibited hours | 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. |
| Drought surcharge | $1.10 per 1,000 gal (Tier 2), $2.20 (Tier 3); May use on June bills, through Apr 30, 2027 |
| Other rules | No waste/pooling on pavement; skip a day after rain |
Is Denver under drought watering restrictions right now?
Yes. Denver Water’s Board declared a Stage 1 drought on March 25, 2026, after a low snowpack, making 2-day-per-week watering mandatory (the normal limit is 3 days) and asking customers to cut use about 20%. The restriction runs through October 1, 2026, and the stage can change by Board declaration, so confirm the current stage before adjusting your schedule.
What hours can you water your lawn in Denver?
Under Denver Water’s summer rules (May 1 to October 1), watering is never allowed between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. to limit evaporation in Denver’s dry, high-altitude air. Water early morning or evening on your assigned days, don’t let water pool or run onto pavement, and don’t water within a couple of days of meaningful rain.
Is there a drought surcharge on Denver water bills in 2026?
Yes. With the 2026 Stage 1 drought, Denver Water added a temporary drought surcharge on higher outdoor use: about $1.10 per 1,000 gallons for Tier 2 (moderate over-baseline) and $2.20 per 1,000 gallons for Tier 3 (high-volume). It started with May use on June bills and is set to run through April 30, 2027, unless the Board acts sooner. Watering efficiently on your 2 days avoids most of it.
Should you water your lawn in winter in Denver?
Yes – winter watering is a genuine Denver practice. CSU Extension recommends watering lawns, trees, and shrubs about once or twice a month from October through March on a warm day (over 40 degrees) with no snow cover, when the ground isn’t frozen. Denver’s dry winters and sunny, windy days dry out roots, and winter watering prevents the desiccation that kills cool-season turf and young trees.
When does Denver go back to the normal 3-day watering schedule?
Denver Water’s standard summer rule allows up to 3 days per week from May 1 to October 1, but that only returns once the Board lifts the drought stage. As long as the Stage 1 drought declared in March 2026 is in effect, watering stays at 2 mandatory days per week. Check Denver Water for the current stage before assuming the 3-day schedule applies.