# Colorado Addresses Water Utility Cyberattacks

In August 2026, two small private water utilities in Colorado serving fewer than 200 people each experienced cybersecurity breaches by foreign actors who manipulated operational technology controls such as pumping cycles and disabled alarms. Although water quality and public safety were not compromised, these incidents exposed vulnerabilities in small water systems that often fall outside federal cybersecurity mandates. In response, Colorado state agencies including the Department of Public Health and Environment, along with federal partners like the EPA and CISA, are increasing risk assessments, technical assistance, and funding efforts to enhance cybersecurity resilience for small and rural water utilities.

- **Why this matters:** Procurement professionals should anticipate increased demand for cybersecurity solutions tailored to small water utilities, including operational technology protection and alarm system security.
- Federal and state agencies are prioritizing funding and technical support to address cybersecurity gaps in water infrastructure, creating opportunities for vendors specializing in critical infrastructure security.
- Organizations serving water utilities should evaluate compliance with emerging state and federal cybersecurity guidance and prepare for potential procurement solicitations focused on risk mitigation and incident response capabilities.
- This development signals a broader trend toward strengthening cybersecurity in critical infrastructure sectors beyond large utilities, emphasizing the need for scalable, cost-effective security technologies for smaller providers.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Energy & Utilities, Public Safety
**Topics:** Cybersecurity
**Published:** September 21, 2026

### Government Entities
- Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Office of Colorado Governor Jared Polis

### Sources
- [Colorado water utilities breached by foreign hackers; alarms disabled | Fox News](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/foreign-hackers-breach-two-more-us-water-utilities-threaten-safety-colorado-residents) - Fox News
- [Two water utilities alert state to cybersecurity incidents - AOL](https://www.aol.com/articles/two-water-utilities-alert-state-203307000.html) - AOL.com
- [Colorado Water Utilities Hacked by Foreign Actors, State Says](https://hoodline.com/2026/09/foreign-hackers-briefly-breached-two-tiny-colorado-water-systems-state-reveals) - Hoodline