‘Don’t Farm in the Desert:’ Colorado Residents Blast Water Restrictions as Agriculture Uses 90% of Supply

As metro Denver cities begin preparing mandatory limits on outdoor watering ahead of what could be a historically dry summer, a growing number of Colorado residents say officials are focusing on the wrong culprit.

Thornton became the first metro-area city last week to enact a Stage 1 drought declaration, limiting outdoor watering to twice a week beginning May 1. Other cities, including Denver and Aurora, are considering similar measures as Colorado enters spring with snowpack levels sitting at roughly 61% of the seasonal median.

As reported by DenverPost, Local water officials say the restrictions are a precaution. Despite reservoirs still holding between 80% and 83% of their capacity in some areas, the concern is that weak winter snowpack will leave supplies strained in the years ahead if dry conditions persist…

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