Welcome to theCity of AuroraColorado

Spray irrigation restrictions begin Oct. 1.
Aurora is in a Stage 1 drought.
Watering restrictions are in place.

Current conditions and system information

One water. One community.  

When a record-breaking drought hits, water stops being a personal commodity and becomes a shared community value and resource. Due to the intensity of the worst drought the arid West has seen in 1,200 years, Aurora’s reservoirs are currently about half full. Returning them to sustainable levels will take time and likely require several wet winters.  

To help protect our water supply, Aurora Water is asking the community to work together to reduce outdoor water use by 20%.

The U.S. Drought Monitor provides Colorado specific information and updates (external site, opens in new window).

Colorado has a semi-arid environment and is a drought-prone state. The Front Range receives approximately 15 inches of precipitation in the form of rain and snow on an annual basis, which is insufficient moisture to meet the needs for most non-native landscapes without supplemental irrigation. During water shortages, water must be prioritized to meet potable needs for life, safety and health.

Aurora Water has a Water Shortage Response Plan that was approved by city council and provides triggers and mitigation stages to allow for the reduction of water demands. These reductions are limited to outdoor water use, primarily by restricting the number of days permitted for watering landscape in progressive stages. Stage triggers are determined by an internal Water Supply Watch, which meets regularly to monitor supply and demand. Mitigation efforts such as pursuing outside water leases from other water entities and constraining or interrupting leases from Aurora Water to outside entities are fully vetted, as are operational changes that may yield additional potable water without significantly affecting customers.

Aurora Water Reservoir Summary – Sept. 21, 2026

* Aurora is in many reservoirs across Colorado. Since we move our water to meet many needs, this number represents Aurora’s water in these other reservoirs at this time. All numbers in this report should be considered to be an estimate or projection. Included in shared storage is Aurora's share in Homestake Reservoir, Turquoise Lake, Twin Lakes Reservoir, Pueblo Reservoir, Strontia Springs Reservoir and Lakes Meredith and Henry

What this means for you

During Stage 1 Drought, water conservation measures are implemented to help Aurora residents achieve a 20% reduction in outdoor water use. The conservation measures below help ensure the health and safety of our communities during water shortages.

• Irrigation of grass is limited to two days per week May 1 - Sept. 30.
  •  Watering events beginning in the evening of one calendar day and going past midnight into the next calendar day will count as two distinct watering days.
• No watering permitted between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
• Residential customers with lawns serviced by the residential meter must stop irrigating by Oct. 15.
  Multi-family and HOA areas that are not communal use must stop irrigating by Oct. 1, and communal-use space must stop irrigating by Oct. 15.
• No new cool-weather turf can be installed.
• Private pools cannot be filled; however, topping off pools that are already full is allowed. Shared community pools will still be allowed in Stage 1.
• Decorative water features are not permitted.
• Restaurants will serve water only upon request from patrons.
• Restrictions for water waste go into effect. This includes water pooling, watering sidewalks or streets, irrigation leaks and unrestricted hose use.

• Your winter quarter average can be found on your bill as “sewer usage chg.” 

• Drought surcharges for irrigation-only accounts go into effect. See City Code Sec. 138-223.)

• Enforcement for violating conservation measures go into effect. If fines are not paid, there is the potential for service interruption.(div. 2 of art. V of ch. 138 Water Shortages | Aurora City Code)

Our water is stored in 12 reservoirs across three river basins. Our goal is to maintain more than 30 months of water demands available to help buffer us from Colorado’s drought cycles.
Aurora Water is in the planning phase for a new reservoir—the Wild Horse Reservoir Project. This proposed reservoir would provide additional water storage—like a water savings account—that would help ensure reliable water supply during severe droughts or system emergencies.

Frequently Asked Questions