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Wednesday, May. 22, 2024

Does Colorado limit how much rainwater you can collect?


yes

Colorado allows rainwater collection on private property but limits who can collect it, how much they can collect and how it can be used, according to the Colorado Division of Water Resources.

You cannot collect water if you live in an apartment or condominium building with more than four units. You can own up to two rain barrels to catch water, but cannot store more than 110 gallons at a time. Lids are required to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.

Collected water can only be used for “outside” purposes such as lawn and garden maintenance, car washing, livestock watering and hot tub filling. It cannot be used indoors or as drinking water.

The limited access is actually a significant change from a century-long state prohibition against collecting rainwater. Lawmakers in 2016 changed the state constitution that had ceded all rainwater to Colorado’s water rights holders, many of whom are farmers. 

See a full discussion of this at The Colorado Sun

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