Drought is spreading fast in Colorado and major cities are declaring their earliest water restrictions in history, urging residents to cut back on the thirstiest water user: the classic American lawn. The state is now nearly half-covered by extreme drought conditions — even though there was essentially no extreme drought there at the start of 2026. Now, extreme drought in Colorado is at its highest level in five years, and at its highest level for April in more than two decades. … City officials are warning people will have to make changes, most notably, adjusting their expectations for how their lawns will look this year. Those changes could reshape the aesthetics of the region for the long haul.

Other water restriction and conservation news:

• CBS Colorado: Aurora City Council to vote on possible water restrictions
• KUSA: Colorado business sees increase in rain barrel interest amid drought
• The Arizona Republic (Phoenix): Agave spirits are having a moment and Arizona growers hope to catch it