Golden Water Restrictions 2026
Jefferson County · Colorado
Published: Updated:
Restrictions Active - Stage 1 Drought: 2 Days/Week (Effective May 1, 2026)
2
Days/Week
6:00 PM – 10:00 AM
Allowed Hours
Per Golden Drought Ordinance, escalating warnings then fines
Max Fine
Find Your Watering Day
Enter the last digit of your street address:
View full address schedule table
| Address Ending | Watering Day |
|---|---|
| Even | Sunday & Thursday |
| Odd | Wednesday & Saturday |
| Multi-family / HOA common areas | Tuesday & Friday |
Allowed Watering Hours
Golden declared a Stage 1 Drought taking effect May 1, 2026. Lawn watering is limited to no more than 2 days per week per address. No watering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. is permitted on any day. Residents are also asked to adjust sprinkler heads and fix any leaks within 10 calendar days of being notified by the city.
Still Allowed
💧 Hand Watering
Allowed with shut-off nozzle. Hours: Any day during allowed hours (6:00 PM – 10:00 AM).
🌿 Drip Irrigation
Exempt from day-of-week limits. Must follow allowed hours.
Fines & Enforcement
Per Golden Drought Ordinance, escalating warnings then fines
Stage 1 enforcement begins with written warnings. Repeat off-schedule watering or failure to repair leaks within 10 calendar days of notification leads to fines under the Golden Drought Ordinance. Contact Golden Public Works for current fine schedule.
Citations begin May 1, 2026🏠 HOA Rules During Restrictions
Colorado law (HB 21-1229) prohibits HOAs from requiring cool-season turf or penalizing homeowners for xeriscaping or drought-tolerant landscaping during Stage 1.
If your homeowners association sends a violation notice for a dormant or brown lawn during the current restriction period, respond in writing citing the applicable law and include a copy of the City of Golden Public Works's current restriction order. Most HOAs will rescind the notice once they are made aware of the legal protections in place. If the issue persists, contact your county’s code enforcement division for assistance.
Why These Restrictions Exist
Golden, the historic Jefferson County seat at the base of North Table Mountain, declared a Stage 1 Drought taking effect May 1, 2026. The city's water supply draws primarily from Clear Creek and the city's small reservoir storage, both of which depend heavily on Front Range snowpack. The 2025–26 winter delivered the worst snowpack since 1941 across the South Platte Basin, prompting Golden to formally declare Stage 1 ahead of the May irrigation season. Golden's mix of historic neighborhoods near downtown and newer subdivisions on the mesa creates varied lawn types, KBG dominates the older neighborhoods while newer developments increasingly use Tall Fescue and Buffalo Grass blends.
This deficit has accumulated over the current water year and represents a significant departure from historical averages for the Golden area. Water supply reservoirs and aquifer levels are well below seasonal targets, necessitating mandatory conservation measures.
How to Keep Your Lawn Alive During Golden Water Restrictions
8 tips tailored for Golden homeowners during Stage 1 Drought: 2 Days/Week (Effective May 1, 2026) restrictions.
Stage 1 takes effect May 1, 2026, do not run automatic sprinklers more than 2 days per week after that date.
Repair any irrigation leaks within 10 calendar days of city notification, failure to comply triggers fines.
Adjust sprinkler heads to eliminate spray onto sidewalks, streets, and driveways, city inspectors are actively patrolling.
Golden's KBG lawns will brown under Stage 1; this is dormancy, not death. The lawn recovers in fall when temperatures cool.
Hand watering with a hose is permitted any day during allowed hours, use it for trees, shrubs, and high-value plantings.
Consider switching to Buffalo Grass or Tall Fescue at next overseed, Golden Public Works supports the conversion.
Mow at 3.5–4 inches in summer to shade soil and reduce evaporation by 25 to 30 percent.
Check goldenco.gov for current Stage status, the city may escalate to Stage 2 if reservoir conditions deteriorate further.
Golden Water Restriction FAQs
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