Brighton Enforces Strict Water Restrictions Amid Colorado Drought

City officials warn of fines up to $1,500 for violating new limits on lawn watering and pool usage.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 9:18pm

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A vast, atmospheric landscape painting in muted earth tones, depicting a parched, sun-baked field under a hazy, oppressive sky. The scene conveys the overwhelming, melancholic scale of the drought's impact, with a lone, withered tree or shrub struggling to survive in the foreground.A sweeping landscape painting captures the somber, sublime scale of Colorado's ongoing drought crisis, as cities like Brighton take drastic measures to conserve dwindling water supplies.Brighton Today

Due to record-low snowpack levels, the city of Brighton, Colorado has implemented strict new water restrictions, including limiting lawn watering to just two days per week and prohibiting pools of standing water on properties. City officials say they will actively enforce the rules, with fines of up to $1,500 for repeat offenders. Residents are being encouraged to consider water-wise landscaping options like drought-resistant Tahoma 31 Bermuda grass to reduce outdoor water use.

Why it matters

The ongoing Colorado drought has forced many Denver metro area communities to enact water conservation measures, with Brighton being the latest to take a hard stance. These restrictions aim to preserve dwindling water supplies, but could also create tensions between the city and residents resistant to changing their lawn care habits.

The details

Under the new rules, Brighton residents can only water their lawns before 10am or after 6pm on Tuesdays and Fridays for even-numbered addresses, or Wednesdays and Saturdays for odd-numbered addresses. The city also prohibits having pools of standing water on properties. Violators will first receive a warning, but a third offense could result in a fine of up to $1,500. City staff have been trained to actively patrol for and report any infractions.

  • The new water restrictions went into effect on April 1, 2026.
  • Brighton's snowpack levels were measured at just 32% of the median on April 10, 2026.

The players

Scott Olsen

City of Brighton Director of Utilities, who warned that the snowpack levels are extremely low this year.

David Schulte

An expert who has helped other cities remove turf and install water-wise landscaping like Tahoma 31 Bermuda grass, which can reduce outdoor water use by up to 50%.

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What they’re saying

“The snowpack is very low this year. This morning, when I was looking, it was about 32% of median, which is extremely low.”

— Scott Olsen, City of Brighton Director of Utilities

“You can save up to 50% on your outdoor water bill with Tahoma, but you can also have a space that's going to be nice and green and lush in the summer, and you'll water it maybe every four days for ten minutes.”

— David Schulte

What’s next

Brighton officials say they will continue monitoring the drought situation and may need to further tighten water restrictions if conditions do not improve.

The takeaway

As the Colorado drought persists, more cities are being forced to implement strict water conservation measures, creating challenges for residents accustomed to lush green lawns. Brighton's approach highlights the difficult balance between preserving limited water supplies and maintaining quality of life, underscoring the need for long-term solutions like drought-resistant landscaping.