Drought in Uncompahgre Plateau and Dallas Divide, Colorado

At the beginning of the month of August, the US Drought Monitor analyzed an area of Extreme (D3) Drought conditions that covered roughly 50% of Colorado Zone 017 - Uncompahgre Plateau and Dallas Divide. Drought conditions remained unchanged until the 8/20/25 US Drought Monitor update, which expanded the area of Extreme (D3) Drought to cover roughly 2/3 of the zone. The coverage of Extreme (D3) Drought conditions then 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.