Denver Water Urges Residents to Conserve Water, Properly Water Trees

Dry winter conditions and low snowpack levels prompt Denver Water to prepare for potential water restrictions.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Denver Water is urging residents to conserve water and properly water their trees as the city faces dry winter conditions and low snowpack levels. The utility is preparing for potential water restrictions in the coming months, while also emphasizing the importance of keeping the city's trees healthy during the drought. Experts from Denver Water and Colorado State University are providing tips on how to hand-water trees without overusing limited water resources.

Why it matters

Denver's tree canopy plays a crucial role in keeping the city cool and shaded, but the dry conditions could lead to stressed trees, increased pest pressure, and other negative impacts. Balancing water conservation efforts with the need to maintain the city's urban forest is a delicate challenge that Denver Water is working to address.

The details

Denver Water's manager for Demand Planning and Efficiency, Greg Fisher, says the city is "actively preparing for supplies that won't fill our reservoirs and ready to start conserving." The utility is urging residents to hold off on turning on their sprinkler systems until mid-May, and is partnering with Colorado State University to provide guidance on how to properly hand-water trees. Karim Gharbi, a horticulture specialist at CSU, recommends using a slow trickle of water within the drip line of the tree, either with a bucket or a soaker hose, about once a month for larger trees and every two to three weeks for smaller trees.

  • Denver has experienced dry winter conditions and the worst snowpack on record this year.
  • Spring, March and April, are typically some of Denver's wettest months, but the city is preparing for a drought response.
  • Denver Water is urging residents to hold off on turning on their sprinkler systems until about mid-May.

The players

Greg Fisher

The manager for Demand Planning and Efficiency at Denver Water.

Karim Gharbi

A horticulture specialist with Colorado State University.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We're still among the worst snowpack that we've ever seen on record. So we're actively preparing for supplies that won't fill our reservoirs and ready to start conserving.”

— Greg Fisher, Manager for Demand Planning and Efficiency, Denver Water (CBS News)

“The lack of precipitation in the form of rain or snow is resulting in a lot of our trees coming out of winter with not enough water. So they're going to be coming out of winter already drought-stressed, and that can lead to a variety of bad things, like increased pest pressure. These trees may be leafing out, not as quickly, maybe producing smaller leaves. If they bloom, maybe they'll bloom for a shorter period of time, or not at all.”

— Karim Gharbi, Horticulture Specialist, Colorado State University (CBS News)

What’s next

Denver Water is urging residents to hold off on turning on their sprinkler systems until about mid-May, and the utility is continuing to monitor the situation and prepare for potential water restrictions in the coming months.

The takeaway

Maintaining Denver's urban tree canopy is crucial, but it must be balanced with the need to conserve limited water resources during the ongoing drought. Denver Water and Colorado State University are providing guidance to residents on how to properly hand-water their trees without overusing water, helping to ensure the city's trees remain healthy and resilient in the face of dry conditions.