Using Rain Water for Garden

Be careful! We wanted to get a rainbarrel but found out they are illegal in CO as we don't own the water rights to rain. You can get a permit starting in July ~ waiting to find out more info so we can do this.

My only thought is to make sure you keep it where it can't breed mosquitoes. Sounds like a great idea.

Just as an FYI, in some states like Utah and Colorado, it is against the law to collect rain water, although there is currently a bill proposed in Utah to make it legal.

the law in CO has changed but only for SOME homeowners - not for everyone - so read the law before setting up a rainwater harvesting system - it;s a $500 a day fine!

Yes, collecting rain water in CO is illegal. Its precisely because we have limited water supplies, that collection is illegal. The way its told, every drop of water between snow melt and created by rain, is accounted for downstream. Each stream is carefully measured and monitored to ensure that each person that owns water rights downstream is getting their fair share. That why rain falls measurements and snowfall measurements are so closely calculated.

So when you collect rain for your own use, you are stealing it from the person downstream that owns the rights to it.

That all being said, I haven't heard of any one being prosecuted, but it could happen. Just like someone in Denver being prosecuted for Dancing in Larimer square since, technically dancing is illegal in Denver too.

Hi M.,

there are several companies that sell special barrels that fit under your downspouts on your house to collect the water. They have lids (so no standing open water to breed mosquitos, and there is a spigot on the bottom of the barrel to hook your hose to. I get emails from several seed/plant companies and they sell them. www.johnnyseeds.com, www.burpee.com, and www.parkseed.com are a few of them. You also might be able to find them at Lowe's or Home Depot. The ones I had looked at were a little on the pricey side for my budget, but with all the rain we have been getting here in the Springs I'm almost thinking I would make up the difference on my water bill pretty quickly! Good luck finding some suggestions that work for you and your family. CJ

Have it go from the drain spout into a big blue water barrel. Only one suggestion- keep it covered or you will be the neighborhood mosquito breeding ground and your neighbors will petition for you to move! : )

Although this is a good idea it is illeagl to collect rainwater in Colorado (stupid I know)

The law in Colorado just recently changed regarding capturing rain water. I just heard it on NPR yesterday. Here is a link to the story:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1046...

In a nutshell - Colorado recently made it legal for some homeowners to capture and collect the raindrops and snowflakes that fall on their own roofs. That had been considered stealing because the water would flow into a stream or aquifer, where it belonged to someone else; Utah and Washington state have similar bans.

Please read and collect away!

I find it amazing that not only can you not collect rainwater in barrels (well, at least you shouldn't get caught...) you also can't reuse water. In California, we used to have our washer empty into a trash can, and then use a sump pump to send it out to the lawn. That apparently is illegal in Colorado too!! I think I read that it is actually in the constitution!

I was just reading in the Gazette that it is illegal to collect rain water unless you are on a well water supply. So, just dont get caught by anyone if youre not on a well. Good luck!!