Durango residents can return to regular outdoor irrigation after the City Council voted to lift Stage 1 water restrictions, a move the Public Works Department says is justified by improving water‑supply conditions.
According to the City of Durango’s official website, the council formally ratified the end of the restrictions on Oct. 6, 2024, following a Stage 1 Water Shortage Declaration issued by City Manager on April 10 and initially ratified on April 21. The original restrictions were put in place because of regional reservoir and snowpack concerns and were intended to manage demand during an exceptionally dry year.
The Stage 1 rules required residents and businesses to follow a designated irrigation schedule, including a “No Water Wednesday” to help refill Terminal Reservoir each week. While overall citywide water use did not drop as hoped, officials noted that compliance with the schedule allowed the city to meet peak daily water demands.
Recent rain events, cooler temperatures and higher raw‑water supplies have reduced overall demand, prompting the Public Works Department to declare that the restrictions are no longer necessary and that normal water‑use practices can resume immediately.
During the same Oct. 6 council meeting, officials provided updates on several other city initiatives. Police Chief Brice Current reported that Durango Police officers conducted 491 Flock camera searches in August, with 120 searches related to drugs or narcotics. Parks and Recreation staff gave a progress report on the Buckley Park Master Plan, and a design update was shared for the Police Department/City Hall Project.
The council also introduced an ordinance to amend the Land Use Development Code, extending the maximum distance allowed for remote parking. In addition, councilors voted to adopt the city’s Speed Management Plan—developed since 2024 using transportation data, safety analyses and public input—to formalize a consistent process for addressing speed‑management concerns citywide.
Other actions included a resolution directing administration to revise the council’s order of business to allow public comment on each agenda item before a vote, and two executive‑session votes to seek legal advice on a La Plata County District Court case involving the city and on defamation concerns involving the council and city attorney.
Residents are encouraged to stay informed about ongoing projects and to provide feedback through the city’s “Engage” webpage. With water restrictions lifted, households and businesses can plan their landscaping and irrigation without the previous limitations.
What’s next: The city will continue monitoring reservoir levels and raw‑water supplies. Any future water‑management actions will be announced at upcoming council meetings, with notices posted on the city’s website and through the “Notify Me” alert system.
Sources: durangoco.gov
