Drought in Central Colorado River Basin, Colorado

At the beginning of the month of August, the US Drought Monitor analyzed an area of Extreme (D3) Drought conditions that covered roughly 90% of Colorado Zone 008 - Central Colorado River Basin. With the 8/13/25 Drought Monitor update, an area of Exceptional (D4) Drought condition was analyzed, covering approximately 2/3 of the zone, with the remaining area of Extreme (D3) Drought conditions remaining unchanged. With the 8/20/25 Drought Monitor update, the area of Extreme (D3) Drought conditions was expanded to cover the remaining 10% of the zone not already at Extreme (D3) Drought conditions or worse. There was no expansion of the Exceptional (D4) Drought conditions with this update. Drought conditions remained unchanged from the 8/20/25 update through the end of the month.

The month of August continued where July left off, with overall above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation. In particular, the lower elevations of eastern Utah and western Colorado showed the greatest departures in both temperatures and precipitation. As a result, Extreme (D3) Drought either remained unchanged in coverage, or expanded through the month.