El Paso County rainwater harvesting strictly limited by Colorado water law — HB 16-1005 (C.R.S. §37-96.5-103) permits only two 55-gallon barrels (110 gallons total) per residential property for outdoor irrigation. Prior Appropriation Doctrine restricts collection. Colorado Springs Utilities enforcement is informational, not punitive.
Rainwater collection in El Paso County operates under strict Colorado water law. Under the Prior Appropriation Doctrine (CO Constitution), precipitation belongs to downstream water-rights holders — historically making all rainwater capture illegal. HB 16-1005 (2016), codified at C.R.S. §37-96.5-103, created a narrow exemption: single-family residences and multi-family up to 4 units may collect precipitation in up to two 55-gallon barrels (110 gallons combined) from rooftops only. Water may only be used on the property where collected for outdoor purposes (garden, lawn, landscaping) — not for drinking, indoor plumbing, or livestock. Colorado Springs Utilities is the water provider for most of the region and receives its water rights from the Colorado River, Arkansas River, and South Platte basins via the Homestake and Twin Lakes projects. Exceeding 110 gallons without a separate water right is a water-law violation enforceable through Division 2 Water Court (Pueblo). Commercial agricultural operations need substitute water supply plans. Rooftop cisterns, larger collection tanks, and non-residential systems are illegal without decreed water rights. HOAs in master-planned communities generally allow the 2-barrel setup but may require aesthetic screening. The restrictive regime reflects Colorado's long-standing downstream-state obligations to Kansas, Nebraska, and New Mexico.
Exceeding 110-gallon limit: water-law violation subject to Division 2 Water Court action (Pueblo). Commercial non-compliant collection: injunction and damages. Indoor use: violates statute; penalty discretionary per CWCB.
Fountain, CO
Construction noise in Fountain is governed by C.R.S. §25-12-103 state noise standards. Construction during industrial-zone dB limits is allowed; work outside...
Fountain, CO
Fountain enforces noise control under its municipal code (available via Municode). The Colorado state noise framework (C.R.S. §25-12-103) establishes baselin...
Fountain, CO
Barking dogs that create ongoing disturbances are a nuisance under Fountain's municipal code (Title 6 — Regulation of Animals, available via Municode). El Pa...
Fountain, CO
Fountain requires vehicles on private property to be parked on improved or defined surfaces. Parking on lawns or unpaved areas in a manner that creates a nui...
Fountain, CO
Fountain does not have a publicly documented citywide RV street parking ban like Colorado Springs. El Paso County general parking standards may apply. On pri...
Fountain, CO
Colorado state law (C.R.S. §42-4-1204) and Fountain's traffic code limit large commercial vehicle parking in residential areas. Heavy trucks (typically GVWR ...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in El Paso County.
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