Hope Bartlett, Water Conservation Specialist for the City of Longmont, provided an overview of Longmont’s water supply, current drought conditions and the importance of conservation. She explained that Colorado’s growing population, limited and increasingly variable water supplies, and climate change make long-term water efficiency planning essential.
Longmont entered the 2026 irrigation season with below-average snowpack across the Colorado River, South Platte and St. Vrain basins. Although Ralph Price Reservoir is full, other storage supplies remain below average, and the region continues to experience severe drought. Current water use is near average, making the next several months particularly important.
Bartlett highlighted Longmont’s goal of reducing water demand by 3% by 2030 and discussed conservation programs including irrigation assessments, Garden in a Box, turf replacement, rebates and water-efficient indoor fixtures. She emphasized that individual and community actions are critical to protecting Longmont’s future water supply.