Douglas County Water Commission Meeting – August 24, 2026

The Douglas County Water Commission held a meeting on August 24, 2026, primarily focused on reviewing and finalizing the county's water plan. A significant portion of the discussion centered on climate data presentations by a Colorado State University expert, highlighting record warm temperatures, drought conditions, and snowpack deficits impacting water resources. The commission debated policy language regarding urban development relying solely on groundwater, ultimately voting to recommend prohibiting such development in the water plan, with the understanding that legal and constitutional considerations would be addressed by the county attorney and board of commissioners. The commission approved the water plan draft with edits and authorized staff to proceed with formatting and submission for adoption by the appropriate county bodies. Future collaboration with neighboring counties on water planning and ongoing monitoring were also discussed.