Bill to End Colorado's Rain Barrel Ban Floundering in the State Senate

The state that bears the same name as the river that provides water for much of the western United States is also the last state in the country to ban the use of residential water barrels.

1 minute read

May 1, 2015, 2:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


"Despite passing out of the Colorado House with bipartisan support, the popular legislation legalizing residential use of rain barrels in Colorado is currently being held hostage by Senate Agriculture, Natural Resources and Energy Committee Chairman, Jerry Sonnenberg," reports Alexander Funk. "With only days left in the Colorado legislative session, the fate of the bill remains unclear."

The rain barrel ban in Colorado is the last of its kind in the country. According to Funk, "[o]pponents of the bill argue that allowing rain barrels would initiate a “sea change” in western water law and harm irrigators, but there is little evidence supporting these claims." The rest of the article is devoted to an appeal for the Colorado State Senate, led by Senate President Bill Cadman, to show leadership on the issue by passing the bill to repeal the ban.

Past coverage of the bill and the issue includes work by Joey Bunch for The Denver Post, Jeff Guo for The Washington Post, and the Associated Press.

Friday, May 1, 2015 in American Rivers

Sweeping view of Portland, Oregon with Mt. Hood in background against sunset sky.

Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary

Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.

March 12, 2024 - Housing Wire

Aerial view of green roofs with plants in Sydney, Australia.

Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024

A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.

March 10, 2024 - Daily Journal of Commerce

Cobblestone street with streetcar line, row of vintage streetlights on left, and colorful restaurant and shop awnings on right on River Street in Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts

From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.

March 12, 2024 - Strong Towns

Aerial View of Chuckanut Drive and the Blanchard Bridge in the Skagit Valley.

Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding

The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.

March 18 - The Seattle Times

Historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles with large "Pan American Lofts" sign on side of building.

Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly

The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.

March 18 - Beverly Press

View from above of swan-shaped paddleboats with lights on around artesian fountain in Echo Park Lake with downtown Los Angeles skylien in background at twilight.

LA's Top Parks, Ranked

TimeOut just released its list of the top 26 parks in the L.A. area, which is home to some of the best green spaces around.

March 18 - TimeOut

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.