Leung backs brown-lawn protections as Douglas County faces drought concerns

Castle Rock is moving to shield homeowners from HOA penalties for brown or dormant grass as drought concerns sharpen across Douglas County, a debate that state Senate candidate Kevin Leung has tied directly to property rights and summer water use.

The Town Council gave first-reading approval May 19 to an ordinance that would bar homeowners associations, metro districts and other common-interest communities from fining residents for brown lawns during town-declared drought stages. A second and final reading is set for June 2, and if the measure passes it would take effect immediately. The council also approved a voluntary Stage 1 drought declaration the same night, and town staff said the goal is to align neighborhood landscaping rules with Castle Rock’s drought-management watering restrictions. Officials added that they have not received complaints this spring about HOAs enforcing green-lawn requirements.

The proposed ordinance would amend Section 13.15.080 of the Castle Rock Municipal Code and would prohibit common-interest communities from enforcing watering requirements for landscaping during drought conditions. That puts a practical question in front of Douglas County homeowners this summer: if town conservation rules leave grass dormant, should an HOA still be able to fine a resident for not maintaining a bright green yard?

Douglas County has already faced fire-related restrictions in recent years. By order of Sheriff Darren Weekly, Stage 1 fire restrictions took effect July 11, 2024, in unincorporated Douglas County, banning open fires, open burning and fireworks under Ordinance No. O-012-004. Those restrictions were later lifted Nov. 6, 2024. Even with those county fire rules lifted, drought conditions remain severe. Drought.gov says 100% of Douglas County’s population is affected by drought, April 2026 was the 20th driest April on record, and January through April 2026 was the 9th driest year-to-date period in 132 years.

State officials say the strain is being driven by unprecedented low snowpack and high temperatures. Gov. Jared Polis activated Phase 2 of Colorado’s Drought Response Plan and the state Drought Task Force on March 16, 2026, while Colorado Springs Utilities says the city is in Water Shortage Preparation stage because of drought risks this year. For Douglas County residents, the result is a narrowing set of choices: conserve water, accept dormant turf and, if Castle Rock finalizes its ordinance, expect fewer HOA tools to punish a brown lawn.