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Colorado Drought Worsens: 95% Under Water Stress
12 Jun
Summary
- Nearly all of Colorado faces drought, with one-third in severe conditions.
- Winter snowpack deficits mean less water for summer needs.
- El Niño and potential monsoon may bring relief this summer.
As of June 12, 2026, Colorado is experiencing widespread drought conditions, with approximately 95% of the state affected. Allie Mazurek from the Colorado Climate Center reports that about one-third of Colorado is currently classified in Extreme or Exceptional Drought, the most severe categories.
Despite beneficial April and May precipitation, these events were insufficient to overcome significant winter snowpack deficits. Mountain snowpack, crucial for water supply throughout the state, is diminishing earlier. This reduction impacts reservoirs, rivers, agriculture, and communities, potentially affecting tourism activities like rafting and fishing.
The current dry conditions also raise wildfire concerns, as soils are primed for ignition. While past droughts occurred in 2003, 2012, and 2018, it remains uncertain if the present situation will match their severity or duration.
Encouragingly, climate outlooks for June, July, and August favor above-average temperatures and precipitation for Colorado. The development of El Niño conditions historically correlates with wetter periods in the state, and some models suggest a stronger summer monsoon could further boost moisture.
However, Mazurek cautions that above-average precipitation might not fully alleviate the deep-seated drought. Meaningful recovery will likely require multiple rounds of substantial storms. Coloradans are advised to anticipate sustained precipitation events rather than relying on isolated storm systems for relief.
