Due to lower-than-average mountain snowpack, Broomfield is now in a Drought Watch. While sufficient water is available for all essential needs, residents are asked to voluntarily reduce water use now. Saving water today helps protect reservoirs and avoid mandatory restrictions later this summer. A typical Broomfield home uses up to 70,000 gallons of water each summer on irrigation alone, making outdoor watering one of the biggest opportunities to save water and reduce utility bills.  

Follow the Drought Watch Guidelines:

• Wait to Water: Keep your lawn dormant longer by keeping sprinklers off until May 1.
• Check the Clock: Lawn irrigation is prohibited between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Watering gardens, trees and shrubs during cooler hours of the day will help minimize evaporation.
• Reduce Frequency: Aim for no more than two days per week.
• Cycle and Soak: Run sprinklers in short bursts (five minutes) with an hour in between to let water soak in rather than running off into the street.
• Hardscape Clean-up: Use a broom, not a hose, to clean driveways and sidewalks.

Programs to Help You Save Water and Money:

• Transitioning to a water-wise lifestyle is easier with help. Explore 2026 programs:
• Water Rebates: Broomfield residents can take advantage of a variety of water rebates and get cash back to make their homes more efficient. 
• Free Consultations: Schedule a Slow the Flow sprinkler audit to find hidden leaks and inefficiencies. 
• Lawn Transformation: Swap thirsty grass for beautiful perennials with Garden In A Box or the Lawn Replacement Program. 
• And more!
• To learn about all the water-saving programs available to you, visit Broomfield.org/SaveWater. 

Effects on Broomfield Parks and Publicly Maintained Landscaping

Persistent dry winter conditions can threaten local landscapes, causing potentially permanent damage to tree roots and the crowns of turfgrass. Residents may notice browning evergreens and brittle grass, signaling a need for increased pruning and plant replacement programs over the coming seasons. Consequently, some park fields may be closed or spring sports delayed to allow stressed turfgrass time to recover.

Key Consequences for Planting Beds, Shrubs and Trees:

• Winter Burn: Evergreens and conifers turn brown or bronze because they lose moisture through needles faster than roots can replace it from dry, frozen soil.
• Root Damage: Dry soils allow cold temperatures to penetrate deeper, damaging plant root systems.
• Delayed Growth & Stress: Stressed plants may exhibit smaller leaves, wilting, or late, weak growth in spring.
• Increased Vulnerability: Weakened trees are highly susceptible to pests and diseases.
• Soil Compaction: Lack of snow cover combined with freeze-thaw cycles can damage soil structure. 
• Operational Effects: Annual program increases including tree and shrub pruning, dead plant and tree removal and replacement over the next several seasons.

Key Consequences for Park and Greenbelt Turfgrass:

• Risk of Winter Desiccation: While bluegrass naturally goes dormant to survive the cold, it still requires minimal moisture to keep its roots and crowns (the growing point) alive.
• Crown Death: If the crown dries out completely, it becomes brittle and discolored, leading to winterkill.  Once the crown dies, the grass will not green up in the spring.
• High-Risk Areas: Damage is most severe in areas with low snow cover, high winds, or south facing slopes that experience reflected heat, as these factors accelerate water loss from the dormant tissue.
• Visual Indicators: Dormant grass is naturally tan or brown; however, desiccated grass may appear grayish or become so brittle that it breaks when stepped on.
• Assessment: In early spring, you can check for survival by inspecting the crown; a healthy crown remains white and firm, while a dead one is brown and collapsed.
• Operational Effects: Annual program increases including turfgrass replacement, pest management, and cultivation practices over the next several growing seasons.  Delaying the start of spring sports seasons could also be necessary to allow some recovery of the grass plant prior to use.
• Due to the current and forecasted weather, the condition and availability of our grass turf fields may be impacted, with some fields potentially being closed for use.

Stay Informed About Future Drought Conditions

To receive push notifications for future drought condition changes, visit Broomfield.org/NotifyMe, scroll down to the “Alert Center” and select the method you would like to receive updates.