Denver, CO

Water prices increase for outdoor use in Denver due to drought conditions

Published

4 days ago

April 8, 2026

Water prices increase for outdoor use in Denver due to drought conditions

DENVER (KDVR) — Those who use outdoor water in Denver may have higher bills through the rest of the outdoor watering season as temporary drought prices will be implemented by Denver Water due to severe drought conditions.

Denver Water said that the Denver Board of Water Commissioners approved temporary drought pricing Wednesday morning, to begin in May and be seen on bills for June through next April, or until the board takes further action.

This means there will be an additional “drought charge” for outdoor water use only on top of the price increases for 2026 Denver Water announced last fall. All outdoor water use in Denver and some other metro area cities like Aurora and Arvada will be subject to mandatory restrictions due to Stage 1 drought declarations.

What Denver water prices will look like amid 2026 drought

Water rates per 1,000 gallons are different for three different service areas, each with three tiers: the first being for regular indoor household water use for things like bathing and drinking (less than 5,000 gallons per month), the second for “efficient outdoor water use” (Up to 15,000 gallons), and the third for additional water use over 15,000 gallons.

The drought pricing adds $1.10 per 1,000 gallons in tier two and $2.20 per 1,000 gallons in tier three.

The tier 1 rate for Denver proper was $2.90 in 2025 and is $3.02 for 2026, and that price will not be impacted by the drought pricing, nor will the monthly fixed charge, which increased by $1.85 for a total of $20.91 each month in 2026 for 95% of customers.

Denver Water CEO Alan Salazar said this is the first time the company has used drought pricing since the drought from 2002 to 2004. He said the historic low snowpacks and potential lack of runoff could make this year even worse than those years.

“Implementing temporary drought pricing is not a step we take lightly. It is one of many tools Denver Water has available — when needed — to respond to drought conditions, encourage customers to conserve our water supply, and ensure our ongoing ability to operate and maintain the system that delivers clean, safe water to 1.5 million people,” said Alan Salazar, Denver Water’s CEO/Manager.

How snowpacks, reservoirs are looking

Despite recent storms, a history-making warm and dry winter in Colorado has snowpack levels at an all-time low. Denver Water said the snowpack for its water collection system is at the lowest level seen in 40 years.

As of Tuesday, the Colorado River Basin was at 26% of average snow-water equivalent for this time, and the South Platte River Basin was at 34% of average, which is based on median levels from 1991-2020, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Denver Water said reservoirs are below average but in “reasonably good shape for the time being” at 80% full versus the average of 85% for this time of the year. Runoff may not help much, though, with forecasts calling for levels to be 10-40% of average.

The reservoir water depends on mountain snowpack levels, which were already low before they took a nosedive melting in statewide record-breaking heat last month. Statewide, snowpack levels range from 12-40% of normal.

Snowpack levels in Colorado amid 2026 drought as of April 7. (USDA National Resources Conservation Service)
Black line shows snowpack levels for 2026 below the minimum recorded for the state. (National Resources Conservation Service)
Snow has melted off the west facing side of the mountains on Loveland Pass on the west side of the Continental Divide on April 5, 2026. A sign of the early snow melt, low snowpack and warm temps this year. (Denver Water)
Dillon Reservoir on April 5, 2026 amid historic drought conditions in Colorado. (Denver Water)
Record low snowpack in Summit County east of Keystone on March 21, 2026. Snowpack 65%. This is snow along the Snake River, mostly melted out. This is at 9,600 feet (Denver Water)
This photo shows the rapid snowmelt in Summit County. On February 25, Denver Water crews measured the snowpack east of Keystone. The snowpack was at a near record low in February, and when they returned on March 27, to measure the snow, it had all melted away due to unseasonably warm weather. This is at an elevation around 9,600 feet above sea level. The snowpack typically peaks on April 23 in this area. (Denver Water)
Snowpack comparison between 2019 and 2026 in Summit County from March. Photos are Dillon Reservoir, Dillon HQ and Snake River east of Keystone. 2019 snowpack for the date was 147% compared to 65% for 2019. (Denver Water)
March 21, 2026. 76% capacity before runoff. Average for this date is 86%. Note how think the ice is due to lack of snow and record warm temps. (Denver Water)
Frisco Marina on March 9, 2026. Dillon Reservoir 76% full. Boat ramp and docks not expected to be accessible this year due to low water. (Denver Water)

Water conservation urged amid drought

The board last month declared Stage 1 drought, implementing a mandatory schedule to limit outdoor water use. Violators could face fines of $250 or more. The goal, Denver Water said, is to see a 20% decrease in water use.

Denver Water said that customers need to conserve water to protect the supply that there is now.

Ways to conserve water at home:

Denver Water offers some simple strategies to save water, including:

The provider said customers will need to follow its annual summer outdoor watering rules:

Use a hose nozzle with a shut-off valve when washing your car
Water only during cooler times of the day, between 6 p.m. and 10 a.m.
Do not allow water to pool in gutters, streets and alleys
Do not waste water by letting it spray on concrete and asphalt
Repair leaking sprinkler systems within 10 days
Do not irrigate while it is raining or during high winds

Experts say impacts like water restrictions and increased pricing are some of the few outcomes that were expected, as snowpack levels being so low and peaking so early is unprecedented. April could bring some snow to the high country but is not expected to be significant in Denver.

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Projecting Nuggets’ Lineup vs. Spurs If Nikola Jokic Plays

Published

4 hours ago

April 12, 2026

Press Room

Projecting Nuggets’ Lineup vs. Spurs If Nikola Jokic Plays

The Denver Nuggets have just one game left on their regular season calendar before their postseason action gets underway, as they’ll be tasked with a road trip against the West’s second-seeded San Antonio Spurs. And it’ll be a game for Denver where they’ll be without a significant chunk of their regular rotation.

No Jamal Murray, no Aaron Gordon, and neither starter on the wing in Christian Braun and Cameron Johnson will be suiting up in an effort to rest for the postseason. Nikola Jokic is listed as questionable, but is likely to play in order to meet the 65-game minimum required for end-of-season awards.

So, as the Nuggets’ lineup is set to be shorthanded in a night that could decide their final seeding in the Western Conference playoff picture, let’s take a peek at what their makeshift starting five could shake out to be:

PG: Bruce Brown

Mar 29, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Bruce Brown (11) reacts after a play in the second quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

While Tyus Jones could fill in as the starting point guard once again as he did against the OKC Thunder, this feels like the right moment for Bruce Brown to take those duties instead; someone who’s started just three games this season, but on pace to be one of 18 players around the league to play in all 82 regular-season games.

It’s hard to roll out an extremely small lineup against a team like the Spurs and hope for overwhelming success. Brown gives the Nuggets some upside in that size department, as well as their overall shotmaking.

SG: Tim Hardaway Jr.

Mar 24, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (10) against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Outside of Jokic, Tim Hardaway Jr. is the easiest name to fill into the Nuggets’ makeshift starting five while without four of their regular starters, even while he might be making a last-effort push for those Sixth Man of the Year honors.

If the Nuggets want to pull off an upset victory over the Spurs to continue their lengthy win streak, they’ll have to cash in on a big offensive performance from Hardaway Jr., which could be well within play as he’ll become one of their de facto top options to look for on that side of the floor.

SF: Julian Strawther

Mar 24, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Julian Strawther (3) against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Julian Strawther has shifted around the Nuggets lineup more than anyone this year. He’s gone from the end of the rotation to a fill-in starter on the wing, and even a DNP as Denver has gotten healthier towards the end of the season.

This game against San Antonio presents a perfect opportunity for Strawther to get a well-deserved start on the wing next to Hardaway Jr. His shot-making has been at some of the best of his career this season, averaging career-high shooting numbers from the field (46.7) and from three (38.0).

PF: Nikola Jokic

Apr 6, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) after the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

This is where Nikola Jokic comes in. Against the size that San Antonio presents with an alien like Victor Wembanyama in the frontcourt, coming to match that with a double-big lineup as the three-time MVP slots in at the four could be an ideal setup for this game in particular.

As it concerns Jokic’s availability, if he does play, don’t be shocked if he’s only on the floor for 15 minutes rather than the whole game. That’s all he needs to remain eligible for end-of-season awards, and might be all David Adelman is asking of him.

C: Jonas Valanciunas

Apr 4, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets center Jonas Valanciunas (17) leaves the court in the second quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

In an effort to try and match the Spurs’ length as best as possible, Jonas Valanciunas fills into the five in our lineup projections to do just that.

Surprisingly, Valanciunas has only started six games throughout his time with the Nuggets, and only one of those showings has been with him paired next to Jokic. But with the implications of Denver being shorthanded, along with their unique matchup of San Antonio, makes for the perfect opportunity to test the fit out once more before their playoff action gets underway next weekend.

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Championship-caliber defense not enough for Wisconsin to secure NCAA hockey title

Published

16 hours ago

April 12, 2026

Press Room

Championship-caliber defense not enough for Wisconsin to secure NCAA hockey title

LAS VEGAS – Wisconsin had Denver under its thumb, but somehow the Pioneers slipped away.

Denver scored twice in the final 12 ½ minutes to score a 2-1 victory over the Badgers at T-Mobile Arena. The win gave the Pioneers their third national championship in five seasons and their 11th overall, and it came on a night when they were held to a season-low 15 shots on goal.

How did the Pioneers escape with a championship that easily could have been the Badgers’? To get an answer from the UW players, they would need more than the 15 minutes they got in the locker room to regroup before postgame interviews.

The pain they felt, however, needed no explanation.

“I think I’m still a little shocked right now,” senior captain Ben Dexheimer said. “I’m definitely going to settle in in the next few days, but I couldn’t be prouder of this team from the ups and downs throughout the year. I just love every one of those guys in that room.”

Rieger Lorenz and Kyle Chyzowski scored during a 7-minute stretch in the third period for Denver, which closed the season with a 29-11-3 record and a 17-game unbeaten streak.

The Badgers (24-13-2) were also pretty good at the end of the season, winning nine of 12 games to reach their first NCAA final since 2010. UW’s first championship since 2006 proved elusive, but the program defeated three top-10 teams to get to the title game.

It was a heck of a run, just not the greatest finish.

Here are three takeaways from the game.

Badgers defense held up its end of the bargain

The improvement Wisconsin made defensively as the season went on was critical to its run to the title game. The Badgers had some defensive gems in the postseason, but this may be have been their best effort.

They held Denver to two shots in the first period, tying the fewest ever in a championship game, and then allowed just three in the second. The Pioneers’ 15 shots? That was also the fewest ever in a Frozen Four game.

Both Denver goals were hard earned.

On Lorenz’s goal, UW’s Daniel Hauser made the initial save. It was the rebound that got him. And Chyzowski’s game-winner came on an extended possession that, from the UW perspective, felt longer because Hauser lost his stick halfway through it.

“I’d probably say it’s the hardest team we’ve played against all year, just how they were on it,” Denver coach David Carle said. “Their forecheck made it real challenging to be able to break pucks out. We saw it against North Dakota, as well. It was an excellent team on their end.”

A 2-0 lead may have done the trick for UW

For the fourth time in the tournament, the Badgers scored first. Freshman Vasily Zelenov took an outlet pass from Weston Knox through the neutral zone and fired his only shot of the game from just outside the left circle.

The challenge was getting a second goal.

“We needed to in my opinion, get it to two, and we just couldn’t do that,” Badgers coach Mike Hastings said.

Similar to what Hauser has done for UW at times this season, Pioneers goaltender Johnny Hicks, the most outstanding player of the Frozen Four, kept his team in games. He finished the season 16-0-1.

“We were throwing everything we had at the net, but we just couldn’t find a way to get one through,” sophomore Gavin Morrissey said.

Denver’s defenders sacrificed their bodies in win

Wisconsin finished with 30 shots. Denver tallied 31 blocks, 10 better than its previous season best.

It is rare to see a team have more blocks than its opponents has shots in a game. Given UW’s struggle to get a second goal, Maybe if one of those got through …

“Obviously we only had one, so if I had to ask for something, it’d be one to get by them,” Hastings said. “Their commitment level, just like our commitment level, is at an all-time high when we get to this moment.”

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Wisconsin hockey vs. Denver: Live updates from the NCAA title game

Published

1 day ago

April 11, 2026

Press Room

Wisconsin hockey vs. Denver: Live updates from the NCAA title game

LAS VEGAS – One more win and the Wisconsin men’s hockey team brings home a national championship and completes a heck of a postseason run.

The Badgers (24-12-2) face Denver (28-11-3) in the NCAA championship game at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 11, at T-Mobile Arena with a chance to bring home their first national championship since 2006.

A win would also give UW its fourth straight postseason win over a higher seed. All those teams were ranked among the top eight in the final USCHO regular-season poll.

With a Wisonsin win …

The Badgers will sweep the men’s and women’s titles in the same season for the first time since 2006. No other college program has accomplished the feat.

The Big Ten would win its ninth title this school year. Here is the rundown: Football, Indiana; men’s basketball, Michigan; women’s basketball, UCLA, women’s hockey, Wisconsin; men’s soccer, Washington, wrestling, Penn State; field hockey, Northwestern, and water polo, UCLA.

Check for updates on the UW-Denver NCAA final throughout the day.

Wisconsin-Denver tale of the tape

Scoring offense: Wisconsin 3.71 (fifth nationally); Denver 3.62 (8).

Scoring defense: Wisconsin 2.97 (32); Denver 2.12 (4)

Scoring margin: Wisconsin .74 (14); Denver 1.50 (I5)

Power-play percentage: .265 (6), Denver .188 (37)

Penalty-kill percentage: .722 (58); Denver .818 (23)

A look at Wisconsin hockey’s final practice of the season

On the eve of the national championship game, the Wisconsin men”s hockey team went through a short workout at T-Mobile Arena on Friday Apri 10.

Coaching legend offers Mike Hastings advice

After the Badgers defeated North Dakota in the semifinals Thursday, Badgers coach Mike Hastings received a text message from former Boston College coach Jerry York.

“He just said enjoy tomorrow’s practice,” Hastings said. “We always thought it was the best practice of the year and then he put dot, dot, dot, but it was hard to schedule that one.”

Getting to the final possible practice of the season means reaching the national championship game. York coached for 50 seasons. He spent the final 28 at Boston College where he led the Eagles to eight NCAA finals and four championships.

As Hastings planned the team’s final practice of the season, he kept York’s message in mind.

“To me it’s about us having energy tomorrow because we’re going to need a lot of it,” Hastings said. “And so we went out for a short period of time. (The players) had a lot to do with what we were doing with practice.

“I went to the leadership group and said, ‘Hey, here’s some ideas I’ve got. What are you guys feeling?’ And so they ended up putting into that. It was a good 25-minute scheme.”

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