- Stage 3 water rules took effect at 8 a.m. Friday, August 7, 2026.
- The Walsenburg City Council approved the measures at its August 4, 2026, meeting.
- Most of Huerfano County sat in extreme drought as of July 7, 2026.
- Outdoor plant watering is now banned, with a narrow hand-watering exception.
- The golf course, greenhouses, and water haulers face strict monthly caps.
Friday, August 7, 2026 — The City of Walsenburg has moved to its toughest level of water conservation as a stubborn drought settles over southern Colorado. Walsenburg is the county seat and the most populous town in Huerfano County, with 3,049 residents counted in the 2020 census.
On August 4, 2026, the City Council approved Resolution No. 2026 R 25B
, placing Stage 3 Water Conservation Measures on every municipal water customer, both inside and outside the city limits. The rules became effective at 8 a.m. on Friday, August 7, 2026.
Why the Council Acted.
Two warning signs drove the decision. As of July 7, 2026, the U.S. Drought Monitor map showed most of Huerfano County in extreme drought. City officials also reported that the water level in Wahatoya Lake was dropping rapidly.
In the resolution, the council stated that the step was necessary “for the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the City of Walsenburg.”
What Changes for Homes and Businesses.
Under Stage 3, watering outdoor plants is off-limits for both residential and commercial customers. There is one exception. Plants growing in containers, flower gardens, or food gardens may still be watered by hand with a sprinkling can, on any day and at any time.
Tighter Limits for Big Water Users.
Several categories of users face their own restrictions. Recreational fields, city parks, and cemeteries are not allowed to water at all.
The golf course is capped at 4 acre-feet of water per month. An acre-foot is roughly the amount of water needed to cover an acre of ground one foot deep, or about 326,000 gallons. The Walsenburg Golf Course is a 9-hole public course open for play year-round.
Greenhouses and grow warehouses, as defined in Ordinance No. 1056, are encouraged to use every possible conservation method, including drip irrigation. Their use is capped at 50,000 gallons per billing month.
Buying Water by the Truckload.
The city still sells water for hauling, but with clear boundaries. Hauled water is available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and it is sold for domestic cisterns only.
The city will not sell hauled water, and haulers may not use it, for any commercial, horticultural, or agricultural purpose. The lone exception is watering livestock. Pulling water from fire hydrants, homes, or businesses is prohibited.
Where the Rules Come From.
The measures are spelled out in Walsenburg Municipal Code section 13-2-600(h). The resolution directed the city administrator to notify water users by publishing notice in the Huerfano World Journal and by posting notice on the city’s website.
Pictured: A map of Colorado highlighting Huerfano County
. David Benbennick, 2006. Public domain.
