🌵 Colorado Drought Monitor
Current drought conditions and weekly trends for Colorado. Data sourced from NOAA / US Drought Monitor.
Live Data • Last updated: May 19, 2026
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D3
Dominant
Colorado is in Extreme Drought
Dominant drought category as of May 19, 2026
Drought Category Breakdown
Percentage of Colorado's land area in each drought category.
100%
96%
79%
43%
10%
No Drought
D0 — Abnormally Dry
D1 — Moderate Drought
D2 — Severe Drought
D3 — Extreme Drought
D4 — Exceptional Drought
📋 Drought Impact Assessment
Currently, 100% of Colorado is experiencing some level of drought, with 42.91% classified as Extreme Drought (D3) and 9.51% in Exceptional Drought (D4). Moderate Drought (D1) affects 96.23% of the state, while Severe Drought (D2) impacts 79.31%. Overall, 228% of the state is under Moderate Drought or worse, indicating a widespread and severe water shortage.
Water users in Colorado are facing significant challenges due to these extreme drought conditions. Reservoir storage levels are critically low, leading to mandatory water restrictions in many municipalities. Agricultural operations are under stress, with crop yields expected to decline as irrigation supplies dwindle. This situation poses risks not only to local farmers but also to the health of major river systems, including the Colorado and Arkansas rivers, which rely on consistent water flow from the state’s headwaters.
Water users in Colorado are facing significant challenges due to these extreme drought conditions. Reservoir storage levels are critically low, leading to mandatory water restrictions in many municipalities. Agricultural operations are under stress, with crop yields expected to decline as irrigation supplies dwindle. This situation poses risks not only to local farmers but also to the health of major river systems, including the Colorado and Arkansas rivers, which rely on consistent water flow from the state’s headwaters.