Denver, CO
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.
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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.