The City of Longmont may have found inspiration from movie theaters’ latest blockbuster biopic, “Michael,” because they are looking at the man in the mirror.
Rather than following suit with their municipal neighbors and imposing mandatory water restrictions on residents, the city is slashing its own water use first. Sorry, golf courses.
Longmont City Council unanimously voted to move to a “mild drought response.” This as available water is 17% lower than an already-parched 2025.
This means:
A 10% cut across the board for the City of Longmont.
This includes golf courses, greenways, parks and municipal buildings.
The City says watering will now be focused on the most-used spaces and dialed back or shut off elsewhere.
What changes for you?
Nothing you don’t want to change. But the City is begging encouraging residents to also impose a 10% cutback on their own use. Nothing is mandatory but Longmont is asking locals to consider following a few guidelines.
Water no more than three times per week, between 6 p.m. and 10 a.m. Hand water trees and sensitive plants.
Turn off the tap when you’re not actively using it. Run full loads in your dishwasher and washing machine.
Check for leaks and keep an eye on your monthly bill for unexpected spikes that could signal a problem.
Despite dire straits, Longmont is chilling
Longmont’s primary water basins are historically low. Snow water equivalent levels in the South Platte are at 16% of its average for this time of year, while the St. Vrain is at 23% of its average. Not to mention the Colorado River is at 17%.
But…
According to city water resource analyst, Wes Lowrie, Longmont is always planning for a 1-in-100 year drought that lasts for seven years. Meanwhile, other Colorado communities plan for less intense droughts that only last three or five years. As a result, Longmont’s response can look quieter because of its Peyton Manning-like preparation.
Lowrie says the decision to recommend a mild response was informed by history. When drought hit in 2002, the city imposed mandatory restrictions on residents. The outcome was about the same as the last season of Game of Thrones.
Lowrie says enforcing restrictions was “very taxing on city resources.”
Public backlash was severe. Lowrie says concerns from locals “overwhelmed our call center.”
Looking ahead…
If conditions worsen, the City may still increase its response. But Longmont has been planning for dry periods for nearly 150 years. It says water use per person is less today than it was a decade ago.