What is a Stage One Drought Declaration? 

The objective of water use restrictions during this stage is a ten percent (10%) reduction in treated water use; ten percent (10%) reduction in pressurized raw water use; and, ten percent (10%) reduction in non-pressurized raw water use. Voluntary conservation is encouraged during this condition. During the period designated Stage One, the City Council, by resolution, shall adopt one (1) or more of the following additional measures which may be altered by resolution of the City Council during a Stage One condition:

(1)  There shall be potable water, pressurized raw water, and non-pressurized raw water lawn watering only to the extent determined permissible by the City Council according to the demands of the particular period in question. If no other specific schedule is adopted by City Council, an odd-even schedule shall be in effect on a voluntary basis. An "odd-even" schedule means that addresses ending in odd numbers and addresses ending in even numbers will water on alternate days, with odd numbers only irrigating on odd-numbered days and even numbers only irrigating on even-numbered days.

(2)  Public education materials shall be provided to encourage efficient use of the available water supply.

(3)  Public facilities will be directed to implement water use restrictions by administrative order, including: limiting irrigation of public parks and golf courses to an extent greater than the target reduction in overall water use; reducing street washing to minimum level necessary to comply with air quality standards and suspending fire hydrant flushing and testing except when required for completion and acceptance of a newly constructed water system.

(4)  Upon declaration of Stage One water shortage, increases in water rates for tiers three (3) and four (4), (Sections 25.16.010 and 25.16.020 and 25.16.021), shall be imposed as mandated by the City of Aspen City Manager up to the maximum rates defined in Section 25.28.040.

Entire City of Aspen Water Shortage Code Information

More Resources:

https://wateruseitwisely.com/100-ways-to-conserve/?view=list

https://www.expresssewer.com/blog/the-ultimate-list-of-water-saving-tips

https://learn.eartheasy.com/guides/45-ways-to-conserve-water-in-the-home-and-yard/

https://www.home-water-works.org/water-conservation-tips

https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2017-01/documents/ws-outdoor-water-efficient-landscaping.pdf

Helpful Drought Links:

Colorado Drought Monitor 

Roaring Fork Conservancy - For streamflows and snowpack

Local Drought Information

National Water and Climate Center SNOTEL

Colorado Drought Response Portal 

Colorado State University- Drought FAQ

Western Water Assessment- Intermountain West Climate Dashboard

Colorado Basin River Forecast

National Weather Service Grand Junction

NRCS Snow Survey Colorado

A drought is defined as "a period of abnormally dry weather sufficiently prolonged for the lack of water to cause serious hydrologic imbalance in the affected area." -Glossary of Meteorology (1959).
In easier to understand terms, a drought is a period of unusually persistent dry weather that persists long enough to cause serious problems such as crop damage and/or water supply shortages. The severity of the drought depends upon the degree of moisture deficiency, the duration, and the size of the affected area.

There are actually four different ways that drought can be defined.

1. 
   Meteorological-a measure of departure of precipitation from normal. Due to climatic differences, what might be considered a drought in one location of the country may not be a drought in another location.
   
   Agricultural-refers to a situation where the amount of moisture in the soil no longer meets the needs of a particular crop.
2. 
   Hydrological-occurs when surface and subsurface water supplies are below normal.
3. 
   Socioeconomic-refers to the situation that occurs when physical water shortages begin to affect people.