The City of Westminster is taking proactive steps to safeguard our water supply. On April 15, the City enacted a Drought Watch, an early signal to conserve water due to our historically dry winter and record-low snowpack that feeds into our region’s water supply.
What is the Purpose of a Drought Watch?
A Drought Watch is designed to raise awareness and spur water conservation so we can avoid mandatory restrictions later this summer. While the Drought Watch does not trigger mandatory water restrictions, there are simple steps residents and businesses can take now to help protect our water supply and reduce the need for future restrictions.
By reducing water consumption early, Westminster aims to stretch its available water supply through the high-demand summer months when lawns, parks, and outdoor spaces require the most water.
Residents can help by taking a few simple steps:
Watering
- Limit watering to no more than three days per week.
- Water between 6 pm and 10 am to minimize evaporation.
Irrigation
- Check irrigation systems for leaks or overspray.
Stay Informed
- Follow the City for the latest drought information.
What is the City Doing?
Across Westminster, City facilities will follow Drought Watch protocols, reducing water use through smart landscaping, efficient irrigation systems, and innovative water reuse projects. Many parks will follow Tier 1 water restrictions to further reduce water consumption. These efforts are part of a long-term strategy to ensure that our parks, public spaces, and community facilities remain beautiful while using significantly less drinking water.
Notable City Projects
City Hall Conservation Garden
The City removed four acres of high‑water‑use turf at City Hall, saving an estimated 1.5 million gallons of water each year, and transforming the north lawn to improve pedestrian access and circulation. The project features 17,000 square feet of planting beds, 39 new trees, more than 90,000 square feet of native shortgrass prairie, and it will be watered entirely with reclaimed water. The project was supported by partnerships with Adams County – Colorado State University Extension (Master Gardeners), Plant Select, the Butterfly Pavilion, and Denver Botanic Gardens. Educational elements — including on‑site and online plant identification — will help residents learn about water conservation and sustainable landscape practices.
Big Dry Creek Streambank Restoration at City Park
The City of Westminster partnered with the Mile High Flood District to improve Big Dry Creek’s water quality and flood management capabilities through City Park. The City worked with a local landscape architect and the Butterfly Pavilion to create a fully native, drought‑tolerant pollinator garden featuring pollinator flyways and regional grass seed mixes. Once established, the site will function as a resilient landscape of hardy vegetation well suited to the region’s fluctuating wet and dry conditions. The project will irrigate the plants in the evening to ensure successful establishment, but given the project’s acreage, the public may occasionally see large‑scale watering during the day.
What about sprinklers at parks, golf courses, and other City facilities?
One of the most important tools used at City Park, golf courses, and other parks is reclaimed water. The City uses approximately 475 million gallons of reclaimed water, which is wastewater that has been specially treated and disinfected so it can be safely reused for irrigation of parks, golf courses, and sports fields. Each gallon of reclaimed water used is another gallon that can be saved for homes and businesses.
Drought Gardening Tips From Briggs Greenhouse
Hand Watering
- Best for trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, and vegetable gardens.
Irrigation
- For plant materials only, not hardscapes.
- Use lower flow rates to avoid excess water runoff and waste.
- Do not irrigate during rainfall or high wind.
Planting
- Drought-tolerant plants are not drought tolerant until their roots are established in the soil.
Learn more about the City’s conservation programs and water-saving tips.