Drought in Central Colorado River Basin, Colorado

At the beginning of the month of December the US Drought Monitor analyzed an area of Extreme (D3) Drought in Colorado Zone 008 - Central Colorado River Basin. This area comprised roughly 25% of the zone, with the remainder under Severe (D2) Drought conditions. As of the 12/24 Drought Monitor update, Exceptional (D4) Drought developed in the zone, covering roughly 5% of the zone, with 20% now under Extreme (D3) Drought conditions, and the remaining 75% still under Severe (D2) Drought conditions. With the 12/31 update, the area of Exceptional (D4) Drought area remained at 5% coverage, but the area of Exception (D4) Drought expanded to cover 40% of the zone. The remaining 55% of the zone was under Severe (D2) Drought.

The month of December was generally uneventful as far as drought was concerned. Most locations remained below the Extreme (D3) Drought threshold, with only areas of the central and northern Divide mountains seeing conditions worsen. Throughout the winter season, and even back into the Fall, this area has received significantly below normal precipitation, resulting in the worsening drought.