Drought Information Statement for Western CO & Eastern UT Valid July 10th, 2025 Issued By: WFO Grand Junction, CO Contact Information: This product will be updated if drought conditions change significantly. Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements. Please visit https://www.weather.gov/gjt/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates/ for regional drought status updates. 1-Class Improvement across portions of west-central and southwest Colorado, which includes a reduction of D3 Extreme Drought Expansion of D2 across San Juan County in southeast Utah U.S. Drought Monitor Drought intensity and Extent: D3 (Extreme Drought): Reduction across western portions of Mesa, Montrose and San Miguel counties in western CO D2 (Severe Drought): Expansion across southeast Utah, nearly covering all of San Juan county, UT D1 (Moderate Drought): Persists across the west D0: (Abnormally Dry): Reduction to D0 across portions of the San Juan Mountains in southwest CO and a sliver of terrain in east Eagle County Recent Change in Drought Intensity One Week Drought Monitor Class Change: Drought Worsened: One class degradation in portions of southeast UT, San Juan county Drought Improved: One class improvement in west-central and southwest Colorado where areas have received one third to over half an inch of rainfall and soil moisture analyses show a moistening trend Precipitation In General, less than normal precipitation has fallen across the Western Slope in the previous 30 days. However, recent rainfall events have contributed to one-class improvements across the SW San Juans and west-central CO, where over half an inch of rainfall was received Temperature Abnormally warm temperatures have continued to encompassed the west, with the warmest swath focused over northeast UT and northwest CO. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast The 7-Day precipitation forecast falls below normal across the Western Slope, with a small exception of normal totals possible across the SW San Juans Warm and dry conditions dominate the forecast period. While isolated showers and storms are possible across mountain zones each afternoon, gusty outflow winds and lightning are the primary concerns rather than chance for heavy rain. Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts Gov. Spencer Cox (Utah) issued an Executive Order declaring a state of emergency due to drought conditions combined with low streamflow forecasts and increased water demands with warmer temperatures for San Juan, Grand and Uintah counties Agricultural Impacts Reduced water supply in southwest Colorado (estimated users to expect to receive 30-35% of their full allotment due to low snowpack and warm/dry spring) Fire Hazard Impacts Stage 1 fire restrictions have been implemented for much of western Colorado and eastern Utah Other Impacts Colorado fisheries closed to fishing along the Yampa River below Stagecoach Dam due to low flow and prevent overfishing Mitigation Actions Pitkin County has declared a voluntary stage one water shortage in response to escalating drought conditions Please refer to your municipality and/or water provider for mitigation information.