Salida, CO- In response to ongoing drought conditions and to protect the reliability of the City’s water system, the City of Salida is implementing water restrictions pursuant to Section 13-2-240 of the Salida Municipal Code. These measures are intended to reduce overall water demand, safeguard critical infrastructure, and help ensure the continued availability of water resources for the community and the broader region. 

The following watering restrictions are now in place for City of Salida water customers:

  • Properties with house numbers ending in an even number — 0, 2, 4, 6 or 8 — may water on even-numbered calendar days.
  • Properties with house numbers ending in an odd number — 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9 — may water on odd-numbered calendar days.
  • Watering is only allowed before 10:00 a.m. or after 4:00 p.m. on the assigned watering day.
  • No watering is allowed on the 31st day of any month.
  • Lawn, garden, landscaping or irrigation zones may not be watered for more than 30 minutes in any 24-hour period. 

Additional restrictions include prohibitions on wasting water, allowing runoff or ponding from excessive irrigation, and watering during natural rain events. The irrigation of new landscape is exempted when the irrigated area is larger than two hundred fifty (250) square feet.

The City is emphasizing public compliance, shared responsibility and the importance of reducing unnecessary water use. The City also reminds customers that Salida’s tiered water rate structure is designed to support efficient water use by increasing the cost per 1,000 gallons as consumption rises. 

Residential Single-Family Monthly Volumetric Charges for 2026
In addition to the monthly service charge

  • Tier 1: 0–4,000 gallons — $1.85
  • Tier 2: 4,001–13,333 gallons — $2.31
  • Tier 3: 13,334–32,000 gallons — $2.89
  • Tier 4: Over 32,000 gallons — $3.62 

The success of these water restrictions depends on community participation. The City is calling on all residents, businesses, property owners and irrigation customers to make efficient water use a daily practice. Customers are encouraged to inspect irrigation systems for leaks or broken sprinkler heads, use irrigation controllers and scheduling features, monitor soil moisture before watering, water during cooler parts of the day, and use drip irrigation or other efficient watering methods where appropriate. 

Customers are also encouraged to regularly monitor their water use through the City’s EyeOnWater program, identify and repair leaks promptly, and evaluate irrigation schedules to ensure water is being used as efficiently as possible. Collective action now will help safeguard the City’s water resources and support the long-term sustainability of Salida’s municipal water system. 

David Lady, Public Works Director, added, “Protecting our water resources is a shared responsibility. The actions taken by residents and businesses today will help maintain a reliable water supply for our community, reduce strain on our water system and the broader community during times of drought and limited water availability”.

The City of Salida, CO, is the statutory seat of Chaffee County with a population of approximately 5,700 residents. Salida is a family-friendly community ideally situated in central Colorado – known by many as the “Heart of the Rockies,” both for its geographic location and the abundance of arts, cultural and recreational amenities found here. The city is dedicated to maintaining a safe, fiscally responsible and forward-thinking government where residents, businesses and visitors can thrive. Explore more about Salida at www.cityofsalida.com.