We are entering the summer months of 2026 in a severe drought, after below average precipitation over the winter, record breaking high temperatures in March, and the lowest snowpack ever recorded as of April. All of this has a major impact on the health and reliability of our water supply. Water is a critical resource for the town of Dillon, not only providing great recreational opportunities like sailing and fishing, but also for drinking, cooking, sanitation, and firefighting.
On April 28, 2026 Dillon Town Council approved Resolution No. 19-26, Series of 2026. Effective May 1, the Town of Dillon is implementing mandatory outdoor water restrictions. The following restrictions on outdoor water use shall remain in effect until rescinded by the Town Council.
Restricted Watering Schedule: Two Days a Week:
Zone 1 - Last whole number in address is even - watering on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 9 a.m. (overnight).
Zone 2 - Last whole number in address is odd - watering on Wednesdays and Fridays from 6 p.m. to 9 a.m. (overnight).
Additional Outdoor Use Restrictions
The washing of sidewalks, driveways, or patios is prohibited except when necessary to remove spills, bird/animal droppings, or other substances that pose a health, safety, or sanitation hazard. Washing of vehicles is permitted only with a bucket or hose/pressure washer with automatic shutoff nozzle, or in a commercial carwash facility.
Exclusions
The supplemental watering of flowers, ornamental plants, trees, and gardens is permitted daily, without hour restrictions, provided such application is performed via drip irrigation or manual hand-watering. All manual watering devices, including hoses and pressure washers, must be equipped with a functional, leak-free automatic shut-off nozzle.
The operation of irrigation systems for testing, auditing, or performing necessary repairs. Such operation must be attended at all times and shall not exceed the duration reasonably necessary to complete the maintenance task.
Use by emergency services in response to, or related to, an emergency. Provided that the Town Manager determines that there is available water, high traffic publicly owned lawn areas, specifically the multi-use playing field of Town Park and the Dillon Amphitheater lawn, shall be permitted without restriction for the safety of athletic activities and spectators. In addition, exempting outdoor use for decontamination of boats, and allowing the town manager to issue a permit for dust control at construction sites.
The Town Manager or their designee may issue a temporary exclusion allowing for daily watering of new seed, sod, or nursery stock for a period not to exceed 30 days from the date of installation.
Additional Restrictions on Outdoor Use
If the flow in Straight Creek falls below 2.0 Cubic Feet per Second (CFS), or the Town of Dillon Public Works reasonably anticipates the flow to fall below 2.0 CFS, the Town Manager may further restrict outdoor use of water, up to and including a prohibition on all outdoor use (except emergency response uses), with immediate effect and without further publication in the newspaper, until the flow in Straight Creek has increased above 2.0 CFS for 72 hours.
Water at Restaurants
As we prepare for the busy summer season, the Town of Dillon is encouraging our local restaurants to take a simple but meaningful step in support of water conservation. With mandatory water restrictions in place, one effective practice is to ask patrons if they would like water served with their meal, rather than providing it automatically.
This small change can significantly reduce unnecessary water use while still maintaining excellent customer service. By being mindful of when water is truly needed, we can collectively help preserve this vital resource during peak demand months.
Together, these thoughtful efforts will help ensure that Dillon’s water supply remains sustainable and plentiful for residents, businesses, and visitors alike throughout the summer.
Penalties and Enforcement
Penalties for violations will follow those outlined in Section 13-2-210 of the Dillon Municipal Code with a phased rollout. During the month of May, the Town will prioritize public education and outreach. Violations observed during this period will result in a written warning only, and shall serve as a “first violation”. Subsequent infractions occurring on or after June 1, 2026, will be subject to the standard fine schedule as outlined in Town Code.
Notwithstanding the June 1 start date for fines, should the average flow of Straight Creek fall below 4.0 cubic feet per second (approximately 30 gallons per second) over any ten-day period, the Town reserves the right to terminate the grace period and begin immediate assessment of fines to protect the municipal water supply.
Outdoor Water Conservation Strategies for 2026
Water is a critical resource for the town of Dillon, not only providing great recreational opportunities like sailing and fishing, but also for drinking, cooking, sanitation, and firefighting. It’s important that we work together as a community to help protect this vital resource, and during times of drought one of the best ways to do so is by limiting irrigation use. During a typical summer month, irrigation accounts for almost half of the water used by the town and its residents. And a good portion of that may be wasted due to overwatering, overspray, and evaporation.
The Town of Dillon is implementing mandatory outdoor water restrictions. We are leading by example—our Parks and Landscaping teams are following these same protocols and utilizing best practices to keep our public spaces healthy while drastically reducing consumption. But limiting irrigation use doesn’t mean you have to look at a crispy brown lawn all summer. Here are six tips to maximize the efficiency of your irrigation system and keep your lawn looking healthy, even when you can’t water daily.
#1 Use the cycle and soak method
Our rocky mountain soils can only absorb water so fast, and irrigation water typically begins to pool on the surface within 5 to 10 minutes. Instead of running a zone for 15 minutes straight, consider running it for three 5-minute cycles, with at least 15 minutes in between each watering. This eliminates water loss from runoff and evaporation and ensures the water actually reaches the roots.
#2 Water at the right time of day
Watering between 6:00 PM and 9:00 AM ensures the water reaches the soil before the afternoon winds and sun can whisk it away. Avoid the midday heat, where up to 50% of your water can evaporate before it even reaches the roots. A common misconception is that without daytime watering, grass will dry out and get damaged - not true! The roots are the most important part of a healthy lawn, and watering at the right time helps get more water deep down where it’s needed.
#3 Keep your soil happy
Most homeowners are probably familiar with regularly applying store bought granular fertilizer to keep their lawns lush and green. But fertilizer encourages rapid unnatural growth, and requires extra watering to maintain – not exactly what we’re going for this year! We’d suggest : skip the granular fertilizer, and opt instead for organic compost. Spreading a thin layer of organic compost, about ½ inch thick, evenly across your lawn not only provides an excellent source of nutrients, it is fantastic for water retention. Soil aeration is also a good practice, reducing compaction and allowing water to penetrate deeper.
#4 Keep your head(s) on straight
With outdoor water restrictions, you get less time to irrigate your lawn. So why waste that precious time watering pavement? Be sure to check and adjust your sprinkler heads so they are actually hitting your grass. Most residential pop-up sprayers can be easily adjusted by hand (caution – you might get wet!) It can also be helpful to remove the heads and clean out any debris (with the system off!) – most heads have small plastic filters that need to be cleaned regularly. Cleaning improves pressure and helps ensure uniform coverage.
#5 Mow tall, sharp, and frequent
Keeping grass between 3 to 4 inches tall creates a “micro-canopy” that shades the soil and reduces evaporation. Taller grass also means deeper roots. You can easily set the cutting height on most lawnmowers by adjusting the small lever next to the front and rear wheels. Keeping your mower blade sharp also helps keep your grass healthy. Would you shave your skin with a dull or jagged razor? Well your grass doesn’t like it either. A dull mower blade doesn’t “cut” the grass, it beats and tears the grass, and adds a lot of stress to the plant’s growth. Finally, mow frequently enough that you are only cutting about 10 to 20 % of the overall height of the grass each time. Cutting too much at once can severely shock your lawn.
#6 Get an irrigation assessment
Not sure where to start? Don’t know what a zone or pop-up even means? Schedule a free irrigation assessment by the Town of Dillon’s skilled Parks and Landscaping experts. We’ll come out and take a first-hand look at your irrigation system, provide you a list of deficiencies and suggested improvements, and even help you come up with an ideal watering schedule. Sign up at Dillon Irrigation Assessments or go to www.dillonco.gov/departments/utilities/water for more details.
