Drought Information Statement for South Central and Southeast Colorado Valid October 8th, 2026 Issued By: National Weather Service Pueblo, Colorado Contact Information: nws.pueblo@noaa.gov This product will be updated by November 12th, 2026 or sooner if drought conditions change significantly. Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements. Please visit https://www.weather.gov/pub/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates for regional drought status updates. Beneficial Moisture through the middle and end of September brings marked Improvement in Drought Conditions, especially across the southeast Plains. U.S. Drought Monitor Drought intensity and Extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): Lake county, most of Chaffee county, and central portions of El Paso county. D3 Extreme Drought: Southeast Chaffee, Saguache, northeast Mineral, most of Rio Grande, Alamosa, most of Conejos, Costilla, the southern 2/3rds of Fremont, western Custer, extreme northwestern Pueblo, western Huerfano, western Las Animas, extreme northwestern and southern Teller, and central El Paso counties. D2 Severe Drought: Central Mineral, southwestern Rio Grande, western Conejos, northern Fremont, the rest of Teller, western, southern, northern and into east central El Paso, western Pueblo, eastern Custer, eastern Huerfano, and western Las Animas counties. D1 Moderate Drought: Southern Mineral, extreme western Conejos, north central and south central El Paso, central into southeast Pueblo, and central Las Animas counties. D0: Abnormally Dry: Northeast and southeast El Paso, eastern Pueblo, Crowley, western Otero, central into southeast Las Animas, most of Baca, southeast Prowers, and western Kiowa counties. Not in Drought: Northeast Las Animas, northwest Baca, eastern Otero, Bent, most of Prowers and eastern Kiowa counties. Recent Change in Drought Intensity 4 Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Drought Worsened: Portions of El Paso and Fremont counties. No Change: Portions of south central and southeast Colorado Drought Improved: Southeast Colorado, pockets along the Palmer Dvd and ContDvd, and portions of south central Colorado. 30 Day Temperature and Precipitation Departure Over the past 30s days (September 8th through October 7th), ample monsoonal moisture and remnants of extra-tropical systems have brought beneficial rainfall to southern Colorado, especially across the southeast Plains. 2026 Water Year Temperature and Precipitation Departure The 2026 Water Year started and ended with remnants of tropical systems bringing heavy rainfall to portions of southern Colorado (October of 2025 and September of 2026). In between, south central and southeast Colorado saw periods of record breaking heat, record low snowpack and increasing drought conditions through the Winter, Spring and Summer. For Water Year 2026 as a whole, well above normal temperatures and well below normal precipitation was recorded across south central and southeast Colorado, save for pockets of above normal precipitation. Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts Monsoonal moisture and periods of heavy rain continue to bring big fluctuations to daily area streamflow, however, general streamflow conditions across south central and southeast Colorado are now around to slightly below seasonal levels. Agricultural Impacts Recent rains have helped to bring soil moisture across south central and southeast Colorado to around seasonal levels. Fire Hazard Impacts Precipitation and generally light wind regimes associated with the summer monsoon have helped to lower fire danger across the region. However, some area fuels remain critical, with some area fire restrictions still in place. Mitigation Actions Please refer to your municipality and/or water provider for mitigation and water restriction information. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Monsoonal moisture and periods of heavy rain continue to bring big fluctuations to daily area streamflow, however, general streamflow conditions across south central and southeast Colorado are now around to slightly below seasonal levels. NRCS data indicates statewide mountain precipitation for the month of September was 192 percent of median, as compared to 136 percent of median at this time last year. This brings statewide WY 2026 total precipitation to 86 percent of median, as compared to 86 percent of median in Water Year 2025. In the Arkansas basin, September precipitation was 129 percent of median, as compared to 113 percent of median at this time last year. This brings Arkansas basin WY 2026 total precipitation to 63 percent of median, as compared to 95 percent of median in Water Year 2025. In the Upper Rio Grande basin, September precipitation was 288 percent of median, as compared to 144 percent of median at this time last year. This brings Upper Rio Grande basin WY 2026 total precipitation to 94 percent of median, as compared to 87 percent of median in Water Year 2025. Agricultural and Water Supply Impacts NRCS data indicated statewide Colorado Reservoir Storage was at 57 percent of median at the end of September, as compared to 77 percent of median at this time last year. In the Arkansas basin, reservoir storage was at 78 percent of median at the end of September, as compared to 103 percent of median at this time last year. In the Rio Grande basin, reservoir storage was at 108 percent of median at the end of September, as compared to 109 percent of median at this time last year. Fire Hazard Impacts Increased precipitation and generally light wind regimes associated with the summer monsoon have helped to lower fire danger across the region. However, some area fuels remain critical, with some area fire restrictions still in place. Monthly Temperature and Precipitation Outlook The CPC outlook for the rest of October indicates good chances of above temperatures and equal chances of above, below and near normal precipitation across south central and southeast Colorado. Seasonal Temperature and Precipitation Outlook The CPC outlook for October through December indicates better chances for wetter than normal conditions across south central and southeast Colorado, along with equal chances of above, below and near normal temperatures. Drought Outlook The potential for wetter conditions into early winter (October through December) supports the CPC forecast for continued improving and ending of drought conditions across south central and southeast Colorado.