Drought-parched Colorado town bans new planting starting May 3

AURORA, Colo. -- As the state grapples with the worst drought on record, officials in this Denver suburb announced a sweeping water ban to prohibit planting trees, shrubs, flowers, vegetables or lawns after May 3.

A lack of snow has strained the city's 12 reservoirs, which are 27 percent full; they should average 65 percent this time of year. City leaders worry whether enough water will be available this summer for Aurora's 300,000 water customers.

"Basically a drought is a very slow-acting natural disaster," city spokeswoman Melissa Elliott said. "While our residents and businesses met conservation goals last year, we haven't received the snowfall we need to fill our reservoirs."

Every Western state from Colorado to the West Coast is experiencing some degree of drought. Colorado is coping with the worst drought since record-keeping began in the 1890s.

The ban, which applies to perennials and annuals, may signal what's to come in other cities. Aurora, the third-largest municipal water supplier in Colorado, was one of the first to restrict watering days last year. Twenty-five other communities followed suit.

The city's nurseries and landscaping companies are trying to educate customers about drought-tolerant plants while scaling back spring orders.

"I'm looking at a 30 percent decrease in revenue compared to last year," said Richard Ortega, owner of Nick's Garden Center & Farm Market. "There's a lot of uncertainty out there."

Forty percent of the nursery's sales are in May and June, after the city's deadline. Ortega said he's stocking more decorative and house plants, patio items and rocks. The nursery will open its farm market with fresh fruits and vegetables earlier to generate more revenue.

Colorado's $1.4 billion nursery and landscaping industry took a $75 million hit last year because of watering restrictions and other cutbacks linked to the state's drought, according to Colorado State University.

City officials acknowledged the new ban would be difficult to enforce. Violations can carry hefty penalties. The first infraction carries a warning and up to a $500 fine is possible on the fourth violation, Elliott said.

Mary Arnold, who grows lettuce, tomatoes and a variety of herbs in her yard, is pushing up her planting schedule to beat the May 3 deadline.

"Maybe that would be called cheating," said Arnold. "I'll get whatever I can out before then."

------

On the Net

www.ci.aurora.co.us