Water is the most precious resource on Colorado’s eastern plains, and the way we manage it shapes not only where we live, but how we live. At Crescence, a new home community coming to Elbert County, water conservation is a foundational element.
As the world grapples with how to best use (and re-use) its natural resources, Crescence is taking bold, intelligent steps to ensure long-term sustainability through a state-of-the-art water recycling program that sets a new benchmark for residential development in the region.
It’s quite a remarkable system. In fact, the developer behind Crescence – Craft Companies – is award-winning when it comes to water-conscious development.
This is a critically important element for creating a lasting, environmentally-conscious yet stunning new home community, and is setting the stage for the future of intentional development.
Taking on The Water Challenge of Colorado’s Eastern Plains
In Elbert County and much of eastern Colorado, the environment is defined by open skies, rolling grasslands, and limited water.
Unlike the Front Range, the eastern plains rely heavily on underground aquifers. Overuse, drought, and growth have increased the urgency of smart water strategies. For new communities like Crescence, simply tapping into existing shallow wells isn’t viable. It risks overburdening local resources and harming existing residents.
That’s why Craft Companies set out to do things differently. And this isn’t their first rodeo. A few miles from Crescence is its sister community, Independence, that shares the same focus on sustainability, and has proven the success of this water recycling approach.
How Crescence is Doing Things Differently
Crescence has secured a 300-year certified water supply, approved by the State of Colorado. This long-term planning isn’t just rare, it’s revolutionary and the first of its kind. Especially in a state where communities often struggle to prove water availability beyond a few decades.
The secret lies in deep aquifer access. By drilling thousands of feet into the Denver, Arapahoe, and Laramie-Fox Hills aquifers, Crescence draws water from sources isolated from the shallower systems used by nearby residential wells.
But that’s just the beginning. Because it’s not only about where the water comes from originally. It’s about how water is used, maintained, re-used, and used less than other new home communities in Colorado.
Inside the Crescence Water Recycling Program
Crescence will feature one of the most advanced water conservation systems in the state that’s designed to reduce overall water usage by roughly 50% compared to traditional residential development. That reduction isn’t achieved through one feature alone – it’s the result of a comprehensive system designed from the ground up.
At the source, water is pulled from deep aquifers far beneath the surface, where it’s naturally isolated from the shallower groundwater systems most neighbors rely on. These wells are drilled through the full saturated thickness of the aquifer and sealed with continuous cement casings to ensure long-term integrity and environmental protection.
But Crescence doesn’t stop at sourcing, it rethinks usage entirely. Homes and landscaping will be supported by systems that actively reuse water wherever possible, reducing demand both indoors and out.
Thoughtful landscaping choices will play a critical role, with native and drought-tolerant plants, water-wise irrigation techniques, and public areas that are designed to thrive with minimal input.
This closed-loop thinking, starting from deep wells and ending with efficient reuse, makes Crescence a model for sustainable water use in Colorado’s dry climate.
Why It Matters Today and for Generations
By reducing water use at the individual household level, Crescence lightens the load on Colorado’s aquifer systems and ensures its community can thrive far into the future, even during dry years.
But the ripple effects are broader:
- Fewer demands on public infrastructure
- A more resilient community model
- Protection for neighboring wells and rural homes
- Proven leadership in sustainable growth for Elbert County
In other words, the Crescence water model isn’t just about homes. It’s about harmony with the land, and with those who already call this place home: our neighbors, the flora and the fauna.
