This winter has been considerably warmer and drier than normal. Winter watering is recommended during extended dry spells provided temperatures are above 40 degrees and the soil is thawed. Trees, shrubs, perennials, and lawns still need water in winter (albeit less than other times of the year). Make sure to disconnect and drain outdoor hoses after use during winter.
Winter is a good time to prune most deciduous trees and shrubs. Spring-flowering shrubs such as lilacs, forsythias, etc. are the exception because they set their flower buds in the fall, so pruning them in winter will remove spring blooms. Prune with sharp, clean tools for smooth cuts just outside the branch collar and not flush with the trunk. Now is also a good time to remove unsightly dead portions of perennial plants.
Sunscald can seriously damage young trees in Colorado. Sunscald is usually caused by large winter temperature fluctuations in the tree cambium (inner bark). Sunscald primarily occurs on the lower, south facing trunks that are unshaded in winter. Thin-barked trees, including saplings and fruit trees are particularly susceptible to sunscald. Protect young tree boles with kraft paper or other light-colored wraps.
The City of Littleton offers incentives to conserve water by replacing sections of your lawn with drought-tolerant plants – details at https://www.littletonco.gov/Government/Departments/Public-Works-Engineering/Water-Conservation-Program.
Make sure to get HOA approval before implementing any projects.