Published: Aug. 23, 2016

By Christi Turner, Boulder Weekly

As of last Wednesday, Coloradans can finally legally collect rainwater from their roof. It’s a small victory in the effort to manage water more sustainably in this semi-arid state, and brings with it some interesting impacts.

Opponents had feared collecting roof runoff in rain barrels would reduce the total water available to water rights holders, but studies showing otherwise helped the legislation finally pass. In fact, advocates are predicting that rain barrel use may actually lower overall water consumption by heightening consumer awareness of their water use and prompting more conservationist practices.

“This was something that we saw as a way to engage citizens on water issues,” says Theresa Conley, water advocate for the nonprofit Conservation Colorado, and who was closely involved with the rain barrel legislation. “It’s much more about how we manage our water than it is about actually the physical rain barrel gardening tool.”

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