Corcoran Perry & Co logo

Back To Blog

Rain barrels are now allowed in Colorado.

Rain Barrels are now legal in Colorado.

What's that, you say? You didn't even know they were illegal?! Well, yes they were, until Thursday when Governor John Hickenlooper signed a bill legalizing rain barrels, it was a crime to catch and use rainwater in the state of Colorado. That's right the state legalized recreational use of marijuana before a commonplace water conservation tool.

Yesterday, Coloradans gathered at the bill-signing event to celebrate this win for water-conscious consumers.

œThis is a victory for Coloradans who care about their state's incredible rivers, lakes, streams, and waters. Rain barrels are an important educational tool and a great first step toward conservation and increasing awareness about the water challenges facing Colorado, said Pete Maysmith, executive director with the nonprofit Conservation Colorado. Read the whole story here.

To celebrate, we put together a Rain Barrel Pinterest board full of ideas and inspiration for how you might be able to incorporate a rain barrel for water collection and reuse on your own Colorado property.

Here are some of our favorites:

As you can see, there are rain barrels and water collection and storage systems for all styles of architecture and aesthetics. We've heard rumors that rain barrels are selling out fast in the Denver Metro area now that it's no longer a crime to own and use one!

It might be the perfect rainy weekend to install your own!

All photos sourced on Pinterest, where original sources can be found.

Recommended Reading

Denver Area 4th of July Fireworks: 2026 Independence Day Displays06.17.2026

alt tag
The 4th of July in Denver just wouldn't be the same without the sight, smell, and sound of a dazzling fireworks display. [...]

June 2026 Denver Housing Market: What Happened to Real Estate's Usual Spring Fever?06.10.2026

alt tag
It’s tempting to say that the June 2026 Denver housing market report is ‘more of the [...]

The Elevated List: The 7 Best Paddleboarding Lakes in Colorado06.04.2026

alt tag
When people picture Colorado, they usually think of jagged mountain peaks, rugged hiking trails, and extreme cycling. They [...]

Denver's Best Dog Parks for Grateful Pet Parents and Delighted Pups05.20.2026

alt tag
Dogs are some of the most social creatures in the animal kingdom, so it’s time to fill up those fur minglers’ warm weather [...]

Denver's May Market Trends: Why Some Buyers are Flush While Others are Down05.13.2026

alt tag
Restraint has governed the Denver area housing market for several years now. One thing’s for sure… Colorado knows how to [...]

The Elevated List: New Colorado Restaurants Michelin Will Rave About05.07.2026

alt tag
It was 2016. Hip restaurant featured glassy mercury finishes, a crystal chandelier, and industrial-style tables. The [...]

Best Spas of Colorado: The Elevated List (Mother's Day Edition)04.15.2026

alt tag
To adequately thank the one who keeps the backpacks packed, the boo-boos bandaged, and the house feeling like a home, gift [...]

Why Denver's Median Market Speed Just Cut in Half: April 2026 Denver Housing Market04.08.2026

alt tag
The Denver housing market spent most of 2025 and early 2026 in a state of decoupling. For ten consecutive months, pending [...]

Selling Your Denver Home: A Quick Guide for 202604.01.2026

alt tag
Selling your Denver home in 2026 requires more precision than it did a few years ago. The market that once accepted [...]

The Elevated List: Colorado's Best Bakeries03.18.2026

alt tag
Colorado has a reputation for altitude, outdoors, and craft beer. The bakery part is newer to the conversation, but it has [...]

Say Hello

Do not fill in this field:
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.