Douglas County weighs growth limits and mandatory reuse in comprehensive water plan update

Douglas County weighs growth limits and mandatory reuse in comprehensive water plan updateAs Douglas County, Colorado, finalizes its long-term water plan, commissioners are pushing to mandate water reuse and require new developments to secure renewable water rather than relying on the region's declining aquifers.

Commissioners pushed to amend draft language to make water reuse 'required to succeed' rather than just 'recommended.'

Rural representatives voiced concerns over draft proposals to pump groundwater from southern rural areas to supply northern urban growth.

The commission debated whether to restrict new development approvals to projects that can prove access to renewable water supplies.

Consultants are refining the county's groundwater data to distinguish between 'physically available' water and 'physically extractable' water based on pumping costs.

During an April 27, 2026 meeting, the Douglas County Water Commission debated aggressive new policy recommendations for its interim draft Water Plan, focusing on the critical transition from finite groundwater to renewable water supplies and centralized reuse. The commission is pushing to strengthen the plan's stance on water recycling. Commissioner Harold Smith advocated changing the draft language to state that increased reuse is "required to succeed" rather than merely "recommended." Smith noted that compared to acquiring new renewable water, reuse is the most cost-effective supply available. Vice Chair Evan Ela added that realizing this reuse potential will require steering growth toward areas served by centralized wastewater treatment plants, which are necessary to capture and recycle return flows. The region's historical reliance on the Denver Basin aquifers was a central point of contention. Consultant Bill Fronczak of Spheros Environmental detailed efforts to map the county's groundwater, emphasizing the difference between "physically available" water and "physically extractable" water. The commission noted that as aquifer levels drop, the energy costs required to pump water from greater depths will increasingly dictate the economic viability of continued groundwater reliance. This finite supply sparked a debate over regional equity and growth management. Commissioner Tricia Bernhardt strongly objected to draft language suggesting the construction of satellite well fields in the less-populated southern part of the county to convey water to northern urban centers. Bernhardt warned that exporting this water would leave rural residents, who have no access to municipal water districts and rely entirely on private wells in the upper Dawson and Denver aquifers, in "dire straits." The conversation ultimately turned to the politically sensitive topic of limiting growth. Bernhardt suggested the county must consider limiting development until renewable water supplies are secured. Smith agreed, suggesting a potential policy where new developments over a certain size would be denied approval unless they connect to a system with a renewable water plant or possess their own renewable water rights. He cited the Sterling Ranch development, which was required to prove ownership of renewable water and implement a conjunctive use system before permitting. The commission plans to hold a special session on May 11 to finalize the implementation chapter of the plan, which will outline the county's official policy recommendations, before releasing the comprehensive document for public review.