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The city of Boulder has entered a�� and is asking the community to take voluntary steps to reduce water use. As record hot and dry weather persists across the Front Range, ���� Boulder supports these efforts to help preserve water this spring.

The campus is working diligently to conserve water where possible while also maintaining green spaces that provide important health, recreation and community benefits.

Where campus irrigation comes from

A vast majority of С���� Boulder’s irrigation uses ditch water—non-potable, raw water—that is not part of the city of Boulder’s water supply. These water rights were granted to the university when the university was founded. While not subject to the city’s current drought guidance, the university is committed to using all water resources responsibly—applying water efficiently, minimizing waste and prioritizing long-term sustainability and stewardship of this state resource.��

“Regardless of the source of our campus irrigation, we approach all water use with care, focusing on efficiency, minimizing waste and making decisions that reflect long-term sustainability and stewardship,” said Jonathan Akins, campus civil engineer with Planning, Design and Construction.

The university does have a limited area of campus where irrigation is supplied by the city, and is delaying the use of potable (treated drinking) water for irrigation of lawns and turf in those areas until May 1 in line with city recommendations.��

Smart irrigation and water stewardship

���� Boulder has invested significantly in systems and practices that support efficient water use across campus, including:

• Advanced irrigation controls that adjust watering based on weather conditions
• Soil moisture monitoring to prevent overwatering
• Nighttime irrigation schedules to reduce evaporation
• Ongoing system checks to identify and fix leaks or inefficiencies

The Outdoor Services team at ���� Boulder uses all of these tools to make informed decisions about when to irrigate areas of campus, and for how long.��

“We evaluate these systems and the conditions on the ground daily, adjusting campus irrigation in real time,” said Ryan Heiland, assistant director of Outdoor Services. “The goal is to be as efficient as possible, using only the water that’s needed to maintain healthy landscapes that support accessibility and community use.”

Campus irrigation typically occurs between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. However, community members may still see sprinklers operating in some areas during daytime hours when Outdoor Services is able to conduct system maintenance, safety checks or to ensure irrigation systems are functioning efficiently and not wasting water.

С���� Boulder will continue to monitor conditions and coordinate with city partners as drought conditions evolve—working to conserve water while maintaining a safe, sustainable and vibrant campus environment.

What you can do

While there are currently no mandatory restrictions, early action can help avoid the need for stricter water use measures. ���� Boulder encourages students, faculty and staff to support water conservation efforts by:��

• Prioritizing water for trees and essential plants
• Using water efficiently indoors and fixing leaks
• Being mindful of everyday water use

Find more tips on the city of Boulder’s��