Did you know it’s against the law to collect rainwater and use it to water your plants in Colorado? In fact, Colorado is the only state in the country where it’s illegal to capture rainwater for use at a later time. And now, reports member station KVNF, lawmakers are debating whether to change that law. If changed, the legislation would allow residents to use rain barrels to collect precipitation that falls from their roofs.
The law would permit the collection of up to 110 gallons each year. Another good effect of the legislation: It would cause people to think about how much water it takes to keep their lawns green.
Still, many in the agricultural community oppose the law. They fear rain barrels would keep the water from running down into rivers, where it can be used for land irrigation. But some water experts disagree. A similar bipartisan measure passed the House last year, but died in the Senate.