The Grand County Drought Preparedness Committee officially declared that Grand County remains in Drought Watch. See any drought updates here: https://www.co.grand.co.us/1341/Drought-Preparedness-Program

As we continue into July and August, drought conditions could intensify depending on summer monsoonal pattern. Residents, property owners, and water users are encouraged to continue using water wisely, but to prepare for below-average stream and river flows this summer. Now is the time to practive water conservation. Let's all do our part and prepare to help out during drought.

Conservation Tips:

• Colorado residents can collect up to 110 gallons of rainwater in barrels for outdoor use, such as watering gardens or lawns.
• Watering between 6:00 pm and 10:00 am helps reduce evaporation.
• Seasonal residents are encouraged to check for leaky pipes and think about ways to cut back on unnecessary water use.

Find more tips and resources at https://www.co.grand.co.us/1349/Water-Conservation

Watering a Home Landscape During Drought

During periods of drought practice water conservation guidelines:

• Always check with your local water provider for the latest drought information and water use rules and regulations.
• Hand watering of trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals and vegetable gardens may occur on any day.
• Water between 6:00 pm and 10:00 am.
• Irrigate plant materials only, not hardscapes.
• Do not irrigate during rainfall or high wind.
• Apply irrigation at lower rates to avoid excess water runoff and waste.
• Drought tolerant plants are not drought tolerant until their roots are established in the soil.

Recognize the water requirements of the plants in your landscape and use only the water that they need. To achieve maximum water efficiency, it is beneficial to understand your soil’s texture and moisture content, the current season, and your irrigation system’s precipitation output.

Read the full CSU Extension guide for homeowners and land managers to care for their landscapes in a responsible water-wise manner here: https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/watering-a-home-landscape-during-drought-7-240-2/