And you will save on water consumption also. Win, win situation!

Great tip! It's only been very recently that the Denver area has been legally allowed to do this.
Wonderful tip, and that rain barrel is made up to look beautiful! And a right good size!

Shelly, why was it NOT legal before?

that was my question too

rain? what is that?

I use a 32 gal. plastic garbage can that sits where the water runs off the roof by the patio to catch our rare rain ! We have a high pitched roof so that can fills in no time even when the rain is not real heavy. Just wish we received more rain.

I knew that it's long been illegal to capture rainwater in Colorado (a ridiculously crazy law) but didn't know that this has recently changed. That is fantastic.

I always thought it odd that a western state would be so environmentally backwards.

I've always saved some rain water whenever I could. Since we don't see any rain for months at a time I always thought everyone who gardens should save some.

patrob said:rain? what is that?

Can't save what you don't get.

I don't know all the ins and outs, but from the little that I do remember the water (run off) belonged either to the state, or city "you" lived in. I believe it was from many years ago when the area was very agricultural, and Mr Smith 4 miles down was allocated a certain amount.
(If I were to collect rainwater, and use it on my plants it would not be the rush of water like from a rain storm. It would be a controlled amount, that would allow the soil to absorb the water instead of running down to Mr Smith).

I never did pay it much mind. Colorado is a semi-arid area (many years in drought), so I figured the little rain (if any) I would catch would water a plant.
I have also heard how much Arizona depends on us to make their golf courses a beautiful shade of green. How much of this is true, I don't know.. (I almost believe if the price is right.. it could be a very real possibility).

This year is the first year that I can remember since I was about 15 that the monsoons have been back. It was wonderful this year.
I should think about getting a rain barrel really. They (could) look so much nicer than those ding dang downspouts.

Great tip...I lvoe rain and would love to start a collection of it. I may need to move though.

We installed a rain barrel year before last. It's one of the favorite features that I have in the yard and garden. I do most of my herb and veggie growing in containers and it's easy and handy to locate those near the rain barrel to make watering easier. I'd love to have another one.

I agree with Carey ... if you can, do it!

We have two 150 gallon rain barrels for container watering and pond evaporation. One on the Northweat corner of the house and one on the Southeast corner of the house. Then on the west side hubby drilled holes in the gutters every couple of inches to water the bed right under it. One the east side he drilled holes again only to coincide with each plant and fashioned his type of rain chain. Looks silly I spose, but it does its task and much cheaper than some of those you buy for a 100 bucks without blinking an eye

Wow, Cherie I would love to see some photos of that system. Very interesting.

Something to think about...when and if we get rain. I worry about the well going dry. Maybe I can leave the cart out and then fill jugs 'cause I KNOW Bill will grumble about skeeters

My thanks for Sandi sharing the picture of her cistern!!! Now if only we could get some of that darned rain around these parts.