Colorado residents and business owners are now subject to some of the tightest watering restrictions now in effect.

To help residents keep track of watering restrictions in their areas, the Colorado Water Conservation Board has launched a website to help them keep track.

In Denver, for example, city officials declared a stage 2 drought. As a result, Denver Water customers must follow a two-day per week watering schedule April 1 through Sept. 30. Watering during one of the days of the week is limited to irrigators operating under a water budget.

Customers also must follow watering rules that include no lawn watering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.; no watering while it’s raining or during high winds; no allowing water to pool in gutters, streets and alleys; avoiding water waste by preventing it from spraying on concrete and asphalt; repairing leaking sprinkler systems within 10 days.

Trees, shrubs and other perennials may be watered with a hand-held hose or drip irrigation on assigned watering days; spray irrigation is allowed only on assigned watering days.

Those who violate the rules will be fined $250 for the second violation and $500 for the third violation. A warning is given to first-time offenders.

Depending on drought conditions, outdoor watering may be prohibited between Oct. 1 and April 1, the utility company said. Watering turf areas heavily used by the community, such as athletic and playing fields, and tees and greens at golf courses, may be permitted, however.