Colorado was recognized drought-free Thursday by the U.S. Drought Monitor. It’s the first time since the monitor began recording data 19 years ago.
Abnormally dry conditions have also cleared up across the state, a strong contrast to the “exceptional drought” conditions recorded in southwest Colorado three months ago. The monitor says increased precipitation and cooler temperatures have helped to improve conditions.
The monitor reports Utah with less than a percent of abnormally dry conditions, but otherwise no recorded drought. Conditions are mixed for the southern half of the Four Corners region: Much of the Arizona and New Mexico corners remain in moderate drought.
As previously reported on KSJD, long-term risks of drought remain and have intermountain communities reassessing water use.
