The Short Answer: Not Yet
Denver Water is asking customers to delay turning on automated sprinkler systems until at least mid-May in 2026 — and ideally until June. This isn't a typical year. Record-low snowpack, reservoirs below average, and an incoming drought response plan mean every week you delay sprinkler startup saves real water for the months when it matters most.
Average daily water use across Denver Water's system between April 1 and May 15 is 137 million gallons per day. By late May, that spikes to 195 million gallons per day — roughly the volume of 10 Olympic swimming pools. Delaying automated irrigation by even two weeks meaningfully reduces the early-season drain on reservoir storage.
Why Delaying Makes Sense This Year
The drought math is real. South Platte Basin snowpack is at 54% of normal — the worst on record. Denver Water's reservoirs are at 80% (vs. a typical 85%). Every gallon you don't use in April buys time for July and August, when demand peaks and restrictions tighten. See our full 2026 drought overview for context.
Frost risk is still real. Despite the mid-March heat wave that pushed temperatures into the 80s, snow can still fall on the Front Range through the end of April. Turning on your system too early means risking freeze damage to lines and heads you just repaired — or paying to repair them again. The safest window for full system activation is after May 1 at the earliest.
Your lawn doesn't need it yet. Cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass are just emerging from dormancy in March and April. They don't hit peak water demand until June. Early-season moisture needs can be met by hand watering stressed areas with a hose and nozzle — no need to run every zone.
What to Do Instead
Hand water trees and shrubs that look stressed. On sunny days above 40°F, use a hose to water along the drip line of any trees or shrubs showing signs of drought stress (wilting, leaf scorch, bark cracking). Evergreens are especially vulnerable after a dry winter with Chinook wind exposure.
Inspect your system now — just don't pressurize it. Walk your zones visually. Look for heads knocked out of alignment, obvious pipe heave from freeze-thaw, and any damage from snow removal equipment. Note what needs repair so you're ready for a fast startup when the time comes.
When you do turn on, do it right. Open the main valve slowly — quarter-turn increments over 5–10 minutes to avoid pressure surges that crack fittings. Then walk every zone while it runs. For the full step-by-step process, see our guide on how to start up an irrigation system after winter.
When to Actually Turn On
May 1 at the earliest for most Denver Water customers — that's when summer watering rules take effect. But Denver Water is encouraging customers to wait until mid-May or even June if possible in 2026.
Watch the soil, not the calendar. Stick a screwdriver 6 inches into your lawn. If it goes in easily, the soil still has moisture and your grass doesn't need supplemental water yet. If it won't penetrate, the soil is dry and hand watering the worst areas is reasonable.
Check your city's rules first. Thornton already has mandatory twice-weekly limits starting May 1. Denver Water is expected to announce assigned watering days by end of March. Aurora is likely to follow. See our city-by-city restriction tracker before programming your controller.