Dry winter may force Aurora, Denver into tighter water restrictions

Snowpack and reservoir levels are below normal, prompting utilities to prepare for potential mandatory cutbacks.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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A warm, dry winter in Colorado has led to concerns about water supply in the cities of Aurora and Denver. Snowpack levels are lagging and reservoir storage is below normal, prompting water utilities to closely monitor the situation and consider implementing tighter outdoor watering restrictions if conditions do not improve by summer.

Why it matters

Water scarcity is an increasing concern in the Western U.S. due to climate change, and the ability of major cities like Aurora and Denver to manage their water supplies has significant implications for residents, businesses, and the broader regional economy.

The details

Aurora Water says its reservoirs are currently at 59% of storage, which is lower than normal for this time of year. The bigger worry is the low snowpack, which will impact spring runoff and replenishment of water supplies. If conditions stay dry, Aurora may need to move to Stage 1 restrictions, limiting outdoor watering to 2 days per week, and potentially Stage 2 restrictions of just 1 day per week. Denver Water is also closely watching its supply and expects to need some level of water use restrictions this year.

  • As of February 2026, Aurora's reservoirs are at 59% of storage.
  • March is often one of the region's snowiest months, so conditions could still change.

The players

Aurora Water

The water utility for the city of Aurora, Colorado.

Denver Water

The water utility for the city of Denver, Colorado.

Shonnie Cline

A spokesperson for Aurora Water.

Nathan Elder

Manager of Water Supply at Denver Water.

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What they’re saying

“It is very dry, and we recognize people are probably thinking, 'are my trees and bushes going to be okay?'”

— Shonnie Cline, Spokesperson, Aurora Water (CBS News)

“We're pretty confident we're going to need some sort of level of water use restrictions this year.”

— Nathan Elder, Manager of Water Supply, Denver Water (CBS News)

What’s next

Aurora Water and Denver Water say they will know more about the need for water restrictions by March as they continue to monitor snowpack, reservoir levels, and weather patterns.

The takeaway

This dry winter highlights the growing challenge of water scarcity in the Western U.S. and the importance of proactive water management by major cities like Aurora and Denver to ensure reliable supplies for residents and businesses, especially as climate change increases the frequency and severity of droughts.