‘This is not our first drought’: Denver’s water crisis is so bad that even ordering water at a restaurant now comes with rules

Denver has officially introduced mandatory water restrictions, and restaurants are among the most affected. Restaurants must now only serve water when a customer asks for it. Officials say this is a direct response to the warmest winter in Colorado‘s recorded history, which has left water supplies dangerously low across the region.

These restrictions are expected to stay in place for a full year, running through April 2027. According to The Independent, the Denver Board of Water Commissioners has set a goal to reduce the city’s overall water consumption by 20 percent over the next year, in order to protect falling reservoir levels that officials have described as the result of “unprecedented” climatic conditions.

The numbers paint a serious picture. Denver Water reports that snowpack levels in the Colorado River Basin are at just 55 percent of the normal average, while the South Platte River Basin is even lower at 42 percent. Officials say these are the lowest snowpack levels seen in 40 years. Nathan Elder, who manages water supply for Denver Water, stated that the collection system is roughly seven to eight feet of snow short of what is typically needed.

Restaurant owners are stepping up, but bars face unique challenges under the new rules

For Denver’s restaurants, coffee shops, and bars, the new rules mean adjusting operations quickly to stay in compliance. Juan Padro, a local restaurateur who owns more than 20 establishments across the city, including Magna Kainan in the RiNo neighborhood, says he understands why the restrictions are necessary. 

“It’s a challenge, no doubt,” Padro admits, “but I get that public health has to come first. We’re doing our best to adapt while still giving our customers the experience they expect.” His perspective highlights the balancing act many local business owners face, trying to navigate new regulations while keeping their doors open and employees safe.

“This isn’t a huge change in behavior for us, it’s just a problem that we’re going to need to solve and we’re in the problem solving business,” he said. Restaurants across the country have been dealing with their own challenges lately, such as a Missouri restaurant that shamed a customer for paying with a fake $1,000 bill after he walked out.

However, Padro has specific concerns about bar service. At his cocktail lounge Sorry Gorgeous, staff typically put out jugs of water for customers to serve themselves, a practice that will now have to stop. “I would strongly recommend that the city exempt bars from that. Restaurants, I think, are a little bit more equipped to handle that, coffee shops (too). But really busy bars? You’re asking for trouble,” he said.

The restrictions go beyond restaurants and cover other non-essential water uses. The city may also introduce a premium on excessive outdoor water use to protect supplies needed for essential activities. Denver Water spokesperson Todd Hartman said, “People need to find ways to save water by not using excessive water outside or inside. We just want to stress how important that is to our customers, because the snowpack is so poor this year.”

Padro is also worried about how things could worsen as summer approaches, states CBS News. “Water is essential to running a restaurant, so it could have a huge impact on us,” he said. He is calling on everyone to be patient, stating, “Everybody needs to be patient. These businesses are doing their best to comply with what the city and state are asking us to do. I think it’s an opportunity for the community to come together and help solve a problem.”

Not everyone finds it easy to do the right thing after dining out, though, unlike a woman who went back to fix a mistake she made at a restaurant, something most people would not bother doing. Meanwhile, the nearby city of Aurora is also encouraging restaurants to serve water only upon request, though it would only become mandatory if Aurora votes on further restrictions.