Drought expands across Colorado and the Intermountain West

Drought conditions are expanding across Colorado and the Intermountain West due to record-breaking summer temperatures and a lackluster monsoon season. According to the National Integrated Drought Information System, nearly 95% of the Intermountain West is currently experiencing drought. This region includes parts of Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, and New Mexico.

In Colorado, the U.S. Drought Monitor indicates widespread and severe conditions. Approximately 30% of the region is facing extreme or exceptional drought, particularly in western Colorado. Areas such as Eagle, Pitkin, Lake, and parts of Garfield, Routt, and Summit counties remain under exceptional drought due to deep precipitation deficits following a historically low snowpack last winter.

In Denver, precipitation levels for August are running approximately 38% below the normal pace. While the National Weather Service has forecasted chances for showers and thunderstorms in the coming days, the city remains behind its typical rainfall averages for the month.