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Irrigation & Sprinkler Systems in Denver, CO

Quick answer

Irrigation in the Denver metro has to fit your provider's rules: Denver Water bans lawn watering from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. between May 1 and October 1 and assigns watering days during drought. Good systems use drip in beds, cycle-and-soak on clay, smart controllers, and a fall blowout before hard freezes.

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In the Denver metro, irrigation is less about adding water and more about using the water you are allowed as efficiently as possible. Most providers restrict daytime watering in summer, some assign watering days, and drought declarations can tighten the rules quickly. A well-designed and well-maintained system keeps plants healthy within those limits; a neglected one wastes water and can get you a warning or a fine.

Know your provider's rules

Denver Water's summer rules run from May 1 to October 1: no lawn watering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., no watering while it is raining or during high winds, no water running into gutters or streets, and leaking sprinklers repaired within 10 days. In March 2026 Denver Water declared a Stage 1 drought and limited lawn watering to two assigned days a week. Aurora, Arvada, Castle Rock, Parker, Highlands Ranch and many other communities are served by their own providers with their own schedules, so look up yours and program your controller to match.

Types of systems

  • Rotors and rotary nozzles: lower application rates that suit Front Range clay, which absorbs water slowly.
  • Spray heads: for small, tight lawn areas, but they apply water fast and are prone to runoff and wind drift.
  • Drip irrigation: for beds, shrubs and trees, with little evaporation. Most water-wise conversions switch old spray zones to drip.
  • Smart controllers: adjust run times to weather or soil moisture. EPA's WaterSense program labels controllers that meet its efficiency criteria.

Design matters on clay and slopes

Long run times on clay or slopes create runoff instead of deep watering. Good designs separate lawn from beds and sun from shade, use cycle-and-soak programming, and keep spray off foundations. On expansive soils, CSU Extension recommends keeping sprinkler spray out of the first five feet next to the house.

Fall blowouts and freeze damage

Denver can see hard freezes in early fall, so systems are usually drained or blown out with compressed air before the first deep freeze. The backflow preventer, often above ground near the house, is especially vulnerable to cracking. Many companies book blowouts weeks ahead, so schedule early. In spring, a startup visit checks for broken heads, leaking valves and a cracked backflow.

Backflow and licensing

Systems connected to drinking water need a backflow prevention assembly. Testing requirements and who may install or test assemblies vary by water provider and city, and testers generally hold a backflow certification, so ask your installer what your provider requires. Colorado does not have a statewide irrigation contractor license as far as we could find, so ask about certifications such as QWEL (Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper) and about insurance.

Rebates and programs

Several metro water providers offer programs for smart controllers, irrigation audits or converting turf to water-wise plantings. Offers and amounts change from year to year, so check your provider's website before you buy equipment.

Questions to ask

  • How will you zone the system, and will beds use drip?
  • Will the controller be set to my provider's watering days and hours?
  • Who handles any permits and backflow testing?
  • Do you offer fall blowouts and spring startups, and what warranty covers parts and labor?

Read more in our guide to Denver watering rules and sprinkler care, or request an irrigation company.

See how it works

How a sprinkler zone waters a lawn. Press the buttons to run each step and see what happens inside. Made with Colorfigures ·
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Frequently asked questions

When should I blow out my sprinklers in Denver?

Before the first hard freeze, which can come in early fall along the Front Range. Many companies book blowouts weeks in advance, so schedule early and protect the backflow preventer, which cracks easily.

What days can I water in Denver?

It depends on your provider and the current drought stage. In 2026 Denver Water limited lawn watering to two assigned days a week. Check your provider's website for current days and hours.

Do I need a backflow preventer on my sprinkler system?

Systems connected to drinking water need one. Testing and installation requirements vary by water provider and city, so ask your installer or provider what applies to your home.

Sources and further reading

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