HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo. -- Residents voluntarily doing their part to save water because of the drought are being warned by homeowners associations that brown lawns violate neighborhood rules.

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Associations in at least two subdivisions in Highlands Ranch and Westminster are enforcing their regulations, which seek to maintain a neighborhood's neat appearance.

Marilyn Geerdes, who lives in the Arrowhead Filing subdivision of Westminster, sent a letter to management company Management Specialists after receiving a note that said her thirsty lawn "creates an unsightly condition."

"I would say the entire state of Colorado is 'lacking in water.' Perhaps you haven't heard, we are experiencing a drought," she said. "As a consequence of dry conditions, farmers may have to sell their land and cattle, but we will have our lush, green lawns, by golly."

Ken Hammack in Highlands Ranch received a similar notice.

"I was shocked," he said.

Neither Westminster, nor Douglas County, which governs Highlands Ranch, have imposed water restrictions.

The city of Highlands Ranch asked residents on Monday to voluntarily conserve water by cutting down 20 percent, but did not make that a mandatory requirement as is the case in Aurora, Louisville, and the Western Slope towns of Parachute and Silt.

Karen Becker, a community manager for Management Associates, said the drought doesn't let homeowners off the hook.

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"A certain amount of stressed lawn is going to be acceptable due to the conditions," she said. But, "to use water properly doesn't mean you'll have a dead lawn."

Carrie Hugus, a spokeswoman for the 25,000-home Highlands Ranch Community Association, said the association is asking homeowners to follow guidelines of watering every three days, for up to 15 minutes.

"If homeowners follow those guidelines, their lawns will be properly maintained," she said. "That's all we ask. We don't want to waste water, but we don't want dead lawns, either."

Other communities, such as Boulder and Lafayette, are preparing to pass restrictions.

Officials in Thornton and Brighton have said voluntary curbs could become mandatory if severe drought conditions continue.