Click the link to read the article on The Aspen Times website (Grace West). Here’s an excerpt:
October 3, 2026
The city of Aspen has decided to remain under Stage 3 Water Shortage heading into winter, in a move that officials are highlighting as unprecedented. Aspen enacted Stage 3 for the first time ever this past May, Utilities Director Erin Loughlin confirmed, and the extension of the restrictions means the critical need to conserve water isn’t over yet.
“Since Stage Three declaration was enacted in May 2026, drought conditions have persisted throughout the Roaring Fork watershed,” said Loughlin. “The overarching concern remains persistently low river flows throughout the Roaring Fork watershed.”
Aspen’s municipal water system depends on the surface water diversions from Maroon and Castle creeks, according to her. The stream flows of both creeks rely on consistent release of water from snowmelt throughout the year — this year, however, the stream flows were compromised by the record-low snowpack during the 2025/26 winter.
“Given meteorological forecasts, the Water Department cannot be certain that forecasted precipitation will improve the snowpack upon which the water system relied upon at this time,” she said. “Staff continues to monitor conditions and will bring any recommended change to council for their review and consideration when appropriate.”
