For the first time since December 2021, all of Colorado is in a drought, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor published on Thursday. The Pikes Peak region was the only part of the state that was not in a drought until this week, when parts of El Paso, Fremont, Pueblo and Teller counties moved from abnormally dry to experiencing moderate drought. The percentage of El Paso County in moderate drought increased from 0% to 100% from the beginning of April to the end of the month. The county has not been entirely in a drought since March 2022, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Those conditions were exacerbated by prolonged above-average temperatures, causing the lowest snowpack in Colorado’s recorded history to melt earlier than usual. 

Other Colorado drought news:

• The Colorado Sun (Denver): Drought-stressed Colorado communities getting $40M infusion in state water grants
• CBS Colorado: Colorado’s drought: What it means and why it matters
• Kiowa County Press (Eads, Colo.): Exceptional drought eases in western Colorado as severe conditions expand on eastern plains
• Rocky Mountain PBS: How Colorado Springs is balancing a new tree planting program in a drought year