Drought in Grand and Battlement Mesas, Colorado

At the beginning of the month of April, the US Drought Monitor analyzed an area of Exceptional (D4) Drought as covering approximately 35% of Colorado Zone 009 - Grand and Battlement Mesas, with 55% of the zone under Extreme (D3) Drought, and 10% under Severe (D2) Drought. Drought conditions remained unchanged for much of the month. With the 4/29 US Drought Monitor update, the area of Exceptional (D4) Drought was reduced to 15% coverage, with 70% of the zone now under Extreme (D3) Drought, and 15% under Severe (D2) Drought. Impacts thus far from the drought have been limited to economic losses due to the lack of snowpack, mainly focused on tourism and the one ski area in the zone. The Colorado State Climatologist has referred to the 2025-2026 winter as historically bad. Those who live and work in the zone are beginning to be concerned with what the drought means for the summer wildfire season. Additionally, there is concern over water quality and availability as many who live in this zone draw their water from water stored from snowmelt.

The month of April saw weather closer to that expected for the time of year. While temperatures did end up being, on average, warmer than normal, the departures were significantly less compared to the month of March. The mountains saw a few solid snowfalls during the month, as well as some precipitation across the lower elevations. Areas north of I-70 generally fared the best. Locations in this region did see some improvement in drought conditions. Areas south of I-70 generally remained the same or worsened slightly.