Aspen residents could face mandatory water restrictions this month as the city responds to a drought parching western Colorado. Water experts warn that the low snowpack could lead to more severe drought as the summer progresses.  Aspen is already under Stage 1 Water Shortage, after the city council voted to institute the measures last week. The goal is to reduce water use by 10 percent by reducing use at public facilities, and urging voluntary conservation by businesses and residents in the 6,600-person resort community. … Snowpack was low this winter, and high temps have caused a faster melt. That’s resulted in lower stream runoff forecasts, said Nagam Bell, a hydrologist at the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, in a report. “Early monsoon activity could improve moisture conditions, but consistent summer rainfall will be critical moving forward,” they said. 

Other drought and water supply news around the West:

• KLAS (Las Vegas, Nev.): Lake Mead expected to hit new low in May 2027
• The Miner (Kingman, Ariz.): Below average snowpack and heat spell trouble for Lake Mead
• City Sun Times (Phoenix, Ariz.): Opinion: Arizona towns brace for potential Colorado River cuts
• Action News Now (Chico, Calif.): Lake Oroville sitting near full capacity, California Department of Water Resources monitoring lake level and operations
• ABC7 (Denver, Colo.): Airborne lasers are measuring Colo.’s snowpack, and the technology is taking off