Drought Information Statement for Western CO & Eastern UT Valid July 17th, 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. D3 & D2 expansion across northwestern Colorado U.S. Drought Monitor Drought intensity and Extent: D3 (Extreme Drought): Expansion east across Gunnison, Pitkin and Eagle counties D2 (Severe Drought): Encompassing Rio Blanco and Garfield counties D1 (Moderate Drought): Expansion over eastern Eagle County D0: (Abnormally Dry): Remains over portions of the Southwest San Juans Recent Change in Drought Intensity One Week Drought Monitor Class Change: Drought Worsened: One class degradation over western Colorado and nosing into northeast Utah Drought Improved: NA Precipitation Aside from July 3rd, minimal precipitation has fallen over the Western Slope 30-day precipitation estimates are well below normal Temperature Abnormally warm temperatures have continued to encompassed the west. The warmest swath remains focused over northeast UT and northwest CO for 30-day temperature anomalies, though the departure from normal has increased across much of the area. Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage A 50 to 70% chance of above normal temperatures through the month of August Equal chances for above or below normal precipitation 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.