Rain Barrel Regulations
House Bill 16-1005 allows Colorado residents to collect up to 110 gallons of rainwater. Guidelines are listed below:
- Legal to collect rainwater from downspout of roof.Rain barrel requires a sealable lid.
- Rain barrel must be located above ground.
- Limited to 2 rain barrels with total storage capacity of 110 gallons.
- Collect rainwater from single family residence as a detached house or part of a row of houses.
- 110 gallons per multi-family residence building with 4 or fewer units.
- Collected rainwater can only be used for outdoor purposes on the property it is collected on
Additional Resources for Regulations on Rain Barrels
Precipitation collection is allowed on residential properties under certain conditions. In Colorado, water diversion and use is subject to administration under the prior appropriation doctrine in accordance with Colorado’s Constitution; however, legislation approved in 2016 and 2009 (described below) provide for limited situations where precipitation can be collected with some exception from strict administration in the water right priority system.
For a description of rainwater collection, water rights, and helpful information for homeowners in Colorado, see Colorado State University Extension’s Rainwater Collection in Colorado Fact Sheet and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Residential Rain Barrels Best Practices Flyer. A few additional resources are provided below: