Just the Facts

We have launched Just the Facts, a monthly Q&A about a key community topic. Our goal is to not only provide you with current, factual information, but spotlight our extraordinary, dedicated staff. This will be placed on the Community Corner page at eaglevail.org, and noticed via official EagleVail Metro District communication channels. Our goal is to address a key topic factually and proactively to better improve our ability to be in front of community questions. Please see below for March 2026's Just the Facts.

March Just the Facts: Spring has Sprung!

Q: Will the golf course open early this year?

A: Yes! The lower holes and the chipping green will open April 17.

Q: And the courts are already open?

A: They are!

Q: I want to start preparing for a low-water season. Where do I start?

A: Eagle River Water & Sanitation (ERWSD) will be working with EVMD Communications to get information out early and often. Residents are being encouraged to respond to drought

conditions with a different outlook on outdoor water usage and to stay in tiers 1 and 2.

How Can You Help?

Choose water-wise perennials instead of annuals
Continue to remove non-functional turf
Limit “cool season turf” – high water grass, ie. Kentucky Bluegrass
Support 500-square-feet max irrigated turf in Eagle County Land Use Code
Support residents if they choose to let their lawns go dormant/be less green or to delay installation of landscaping (Make sure to check in with the EVPOA and Design Review guidelines)

Be Water & Fire Smart

Let trees be trees: Established trees (including Aspens!) and surrounding forest areas do not need irrigation. Watering trees will result in more growth and more plant matter will result in more fuel for a fire. Trim branches from the bottom of the trees to create separation from the ground to the bottom branches.
Don’t run sprinklers if you evacuate: Sprinklers are only effective in slowing fire spread when fire is on your property. Turning them on when you evacuate and leaving them running will reduce water available for firefighters protecting your home and community.
Short grass is safer, not greener grass: Maintaining a green lawn during a drought is not responsible. Keep grass mowed below two inches within 30 feet of your home if you want to protect your home from fire.
Native plants are generally more fire-resistant and require less water. Choosing native landscaping protects both your home and local water supplies.

Q: How is the EVMD planning for wildfire mitigation this summer?

A: We recognize how nervous everyone is coming off a terrible snowpack season and heading into the dryer, warmer spring and summer months. The EVMD is committed to enhanced

communications alongside our fire professionals.

Where we are today: We are not currently in fire restrictions. We are, however, in an extreme drought, and the fuels are near critical thresholds for dryness.

What can you do today? Please make sure you are signed up for EC Alert to receive emergency notification. Visit https://sites.google.com/eaglecounty.us/ecemergency for sign-up information as well as evacuation mapping and other important information.

You can also receive a free home assessment from realfire.net

Start planning to create defensible space: ERWSD is partnering with local fire department officials to educate on the importance of creating defensible space. Avoid any landscaping within five feet of your home (Zone 1); landscaping 5-100 feet from the home should be spaced to prevent fire spreading through the landscaping (Zone 2). Irrigation is unnecessary beyond 100 feet from structures (Zone 3). Maintaining the natural ecosystem is often the safest and most water-efficient choice.

EVMD continues to advance wildfire mitigation efforts for 2026:

$200,000 has been budgeted for wildfire fuels reduction, including the popular chipping program and pheromone packets as a preventative measure against beetle kill.

Q: Do I need to RSVP for the Second Annual EagleVail & Tell community event?

A: Yes! REMEMBER to RSVP to Second Annual EagleVail & Tell event by 5:00pm on April 5. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/second-annual-eaglevail-tell-tickets-1984930510590?aff=oddtdtcreator. EagleVail & Tell will be held on April 9, 4-6 p.m. at the EagleVail Pavilion and refreshments will be provided. This event provides an opportunity for residents to learn about District activities in 2026 and explore ways to become more involved. Community updates will include: wildfire mitigation, EagleVail Trail extension, Parks Master Plan process, water conservation, administrative information and golf operations.