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Current U.S. Drought Monitor Conditions for Colorado

The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) is updated each Thursday to show the location and intensity of drought across the country. This map shows drought conditions across Colorado using a five-category system, from Abnormally Dry (D0) conditions to Exceptional Drought (D4). The USDM is a joint effort of the National Drought Mitigation Center, USDA, and NOAA. Learn more.

The following state-specific drought impacts were compiled by the National Drought Mitigation Center. While these impacts are not exhaustive, they can help provide a clearer picture of drought in Colorado. 

D0 - Abnormally Dry
  • Hay production decreases; rangeland is dry
  • Irrigation begins sooner
53.4
of CO
(D0–D4)
D1 - Moderate Drought
  • Rangeland growth is stunted; very little hay is available
  • Dryland crops suffer
  • Wildfires increase
36.2
of CO
(D1–D4)
D2 - Severe Drought
  • Farmers reduce planting; producers sell cattle
  • Fire season is extended
  • Snowpack is low; surface water levels are low; river flow is reduced
9.1
of CO
(D2–D4)
D3 - Extreme Drought
  • Pasture conditions worsen
  • Large fires develop
  • Reservoirs are extremely low; mandatory water restrictions are implemented; water temperature increases
2.0
of CO
(D3–D4)
D4 - Exceptional Drought
  • Dust storms and topsoil removal are widespread
  • Agricultural and recreational economic losses are large
0.2
of CO
(D4)
D0 - Abnormally Dry
  • Hay production decreases; rangeland is dry
  • Irrigation begins sooner
54.0
of CO
(D0–D4)
D1 - Moderate Drought
  • Rangeland growth is stunted; very little hay is available
  • Dryland crops suffer
  • Wildfires increase
36.5
of CO
(D1–D4)
D2 - Severe Drought
  • Farmers reduce planting; producers sell cattle
  • Fire season is extended
  • Snowpack is low; surface water levels are low; river flow is reduced
9.1
of CO
(D2–D4)
D3 - Extreme Drought
  • Pasture conditions worsen
  • Large fires develop
  • Reservoirs are extremely low; mandatory water restrictions are implemented; water temperature increases
2.0
of CO
(D3–D4)
D4 - Exceptional Drought
  • Dust storms and topsoil removal are widespread
  • Agricultural and recreational economic losses are large
0.2
of CO
(D4)
D0 - Abnormally Dry
  • Hay production decreases; rangeland is dry
  • Irrigation begins sooner
55.2
of CO
(D0–D4)
D1 - Moderate Drought
  • Rangeland growth is stunted; very little hay is available
  • Dryland crops suffer
  • Wildfires increase
37.4
of CO
(D1–D4)
D2 - Severe Drought
  • Farmers reduce planting; producers sell cattle
  • Fire season is extended
  • Snowpack is low; surface water levels are low; river flow is reduced
7.9
of CO
(D2–D4)
D3 - Extreme Drought
  • Pasture conditions worsen
  • Large fires develop
  • Reservoirs are extremely low; mandatory water restrictions are implemented; water temperature increases
2.0
of CO
(D3–D4)
D4 - Exceptional Drought
  • Dust storms and topsoil removal are widespread
  • Agricultural and recreational economic losses are large
0.2
of CO
(D4)
1.5 Million
people in Colorado are affected by drought
64
counties with USDA disaster designations
10th
wettest January was in 2023, over the past 129 years
10th
wettest year to date was in 2023, over the past 129 years

Explore Drought Conditions by City and County

Summary

View up-to-date drought conditions down to the city and county level, including temperature, and precipitation conditions, key drought indicators, outlooks, historical conditions, and water supply, agriculture, and public health maps.

View Conditions by City:
View Conditions by County:

Drought in Colorado from 2000–Present

The U.S. Drought Monitor started in 2000. Since 2000, the longest duration of drought (D1–D4) in Colorado lasted 395 weeks beginning on October 30, 2001, and ending on May 19, 2009. The most intense period of drought occurred the week of July 16, 2002, where D4 affected 34.37% of Colorado land.

The U.S. Drought Monitor (2000–present) depicts the location and intensity of drought across the country. Every Thursday, authors from NOAA, USDA, and the National Drought Mitigation Center produce a new map based on their assessments of the best available data and input from local observers. The map uses five categories: Abnormally Dry (D0), showing areas that may be going into or are coming out of drought, and four levels of drought (D1–D4). Learn more.

 

Time Period (Years): to

Colorado Drought Resources

Stay Informed: Local Drought Updates

Drought Alert Emails
Get email updates when U.S. Drought Monitor conditions change for your location or a new drought outlook is released.

Intermountain West Drought Status Updates
NIDIS & its partners issue regional updates covering drought conditions, outlooks/forecasts, and local impacts.

Intermountain West Drought Email List
Get regional drought status updates right to your inbox, as well as drought news, webinars, and other events for the Intermountain West.

Southwest Drought Briefing Webinars
These webinars provide the region with timely information on current and developing climate conditions such as drought, floods, and tropical storms, as well as climatic events like El Niño and La Niña.

Get Involved: Submit Local Drought Impacts

Drought in your area? Tell us how drought is impacting your community by submitting a condition monitoring report. Your submissions help us better understand how drought is affecting local conditions.