Water Conservation
Did you know that the water coming out of your household taps and faucets was in the river 12 hours ago? Aspen takes almost all of its water from Castle Creek and Maroon Creek which are fed by how much snowpack accumulates in the surrounding mountains each year. With limited water sources and storage, the city must carefully plan around hazards such as drought, wildfires, and avalanches.
Castle Creek and Maroon Creek flow into the Roaring Fork River and eventually on to the Colorado River. As a headwaters community, it’s our responsibility to demonstrate best practices and conserve our local water supply. Learn more about Aspen's watershed.
Late summer is when our water resources are most vulnerable as snowpack and streamflow are at their lowest point. Read more about our Irrigation Assessment & Rebate Program to learn more about the significant water savings you can achieve by making your irrigation system more efficient.
Water Conservation tips:
- Drinking water: Drink Aspen Tap! Choose tap water instead of bottled water. Look up! Our water starts in the mountains.
- Irrigation: Save water when watering. Don’t water your lawn during the hottest time of the day. Check your sprinkler head position; don’t water the street, sidewalks, or driveway.
- Landscaping: Look into smart “xeriscape” landscaping. Group plants according to their watering needs. Plant water-saving plants, trees and shrubs. Use mulch to retain moisture in the soil.
- Dishwasher: Reduce the amount of dishwashing by only running the dishwasher when its fully loaded.
- Garbage disposal: Did you know disposals require lots of water to operate properly? Avoid using them. Consider composting instead. (LINK to composting page)
- Water heater: Don’t wait and waste water. Insulate hot water pipes to help heat water faster.
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Climate Action Office
Physical Address
427 Rio Grande Place
1st Floor
Aspen, CO 81611
Phone: 970-429-1798
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Tim Karfs
Climate and Sustainability Programs Administrator
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Caroline Moore
Climate Action Community Intern