To: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council
Through: David L. Corliss, Town Manager
From: Mark Marlowe, P.E., Director of Castle Rock Water
Mark Henderson, Assistant Director of Castle Rock Water
Lauren Moore, Water Resources Manager
Rick Schultz, Water Efficiency Supervisor
Title
Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Castle Rock Declaring an Advisory Drought Stage (Stage 1) within the Castle Rock Water Service Area [Town of Castle Rock and extraterritorial service areas]
Body
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Executive Summary
The purpose of this memorandum is to request Town Council approval of a Resolution (Attachment A) declaring an Advisory Drought Stage (Stage 1) in the Castle Rock Water service area. Current and projected water supply conditions, including historical below-average snowpack, elevated temperatures, and increased water demand, indicate a heightened risk to the Town’s near-term renewable water supply reliability. While current system storage levels remain stable and the Water Supply Index (WSI) is above drought trigger thresholds, emerging regional and statewide drought indicators demonstrate a need for proactive action to preserve water resources, support regional water providers, and potentially avoid more severe restrictions later this summer. Pursuant to Castle Rock Municipal Code Chapter 13.15, the Director of Castle Rock Water, as Program Administrator, is authorized to declare and implement drought stages based on the Water Supply Index (WSI) and existing water supply conditions. In accordance with Castle Rock Municipal Code Chapter 13.12, once a drought stage is declared, public notice must be provided and becomes enforceable within 24 to 48 hours, at which point all water users are required to comply with the applicable restrictions, and violations may result in enforcement actions as outlined in the Water Use Management Plan (WUMP) and Drought Management Plan (DMP)
Declaring Stage 1 drought will reinforce existing conservation practices, increase public awareness and early behavioral changes, and position the Town to respond more effectively if conditions worsen. This early declaration is intended to reduce demand, protect stored supplies, and maintain operational flexibility in advance of peak summer water use. Under the Town’s DMP, Stage 1 consists of voluntary conservation and early demand reduction, with a target of approximately 10% water savings.
Budget Impact
The implementation of Advisory Drought Stage (Stage 1) measures is expected to have minimal direct budget impact, as conservation efforts are voluntary and outreach and enforcement will be managed within existing operational resources. At this stage, no drought-specific rate adjustments are triggered under the current structure. However, Castle Rock Water has evaluated potential impacts of higher drought stages, where conservation would be driven in part by rate structure modifications, including reduced outdoor water budgets and adjusted surcharge thresholds. These future measures could influence both water demand and revenues but are not anticipated under Stage 1 conditions.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends approval of the Resolution declaring an Advisory Drought Stage (Stage 1) to promote early conservation, protect water supplies, and position the Town for effective response should conditions worsen.
Proposed Motion
“I move to approve the Resolution as introduced by title.”
Alternative Motions
“I move to approve the Resolution as introduced by title, with the following conditions: (list conditions).
“I move to continue this item to the Town Council meeting on _____ date to allow additional time to (list information needed).”
Attachments
Staff Report
Attachment A: Resolution