The statewide drought is prompting water restrictions across Colorado. La Veta, a Southern Colorado town of less than 1,000 residents at the base of the Spanish Peaks, is among the most severely affected areas in the state. … Residents are not allowed to use outdoor watering tools including hoses and sprinklers. La Veta diverts its water from the Cucharas River into two reservoirs on the edge of town. “The lake water at this point could, without any further moisture, cover the town for 150 days (from July 13),” said [Town Clerk Heather] Hillis. “It needs to start snowing like September 1.” … The latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows the area in some of the worst conditions in the state.

Other drought impact news around the West:

• Aspen Public Radio (Colo.): Peaches pay the bills for Western Colorado farmers, but prolonged drought makes their future uncertain
• KMGH (Denver, Colo.): After finding 300 dead mountain whitefish, CPW implements voluntary fishing closure on stretch of Yampa River
• CBS Colorado: Aurora asks largest water user to cut back as Stage 2 restrictions loom in the Colorado city
• Reuters: Photos: One of Arizona’s largest reservoirs has nearly disappeared