Drought Information Statement for South Central and Southeast Colorado Valid October 16th, 2025 Issued By: NWS Pueblo, Colorado Contact Information: nws.pueblo@noaa.gov This product will be updated by November 20th, 2025 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. Abundant precipitation brings marked improvement in drought conditions over and near the southwest mountains Moderate to Severe drought conditions remain across portions of the south central Colorado U.S. Drought Monitor Valid October 14th, 2025 Drought intensity and Extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): N/A D3 Extreme Drought: N/A D2 Severe Drought: Northern and western Lake county. D1 Moderate Drought: The rest of Lake county, extreme northwestern Chaffee county, and extreme southeast Saguache, northeast Alamosa, southwest Custer and northwest Huerfano counties. D0: Abnormally Dry: The rest of Chaffee, western Fremont, most of Saguache, Alamosa and Custer, eastern Rio Grande, most of Conejos, northeast and southeast Huerfano, north central Las Animas, northeast Otero, northwest Bent and northeast Baca counties. Recent Change in Drought Intensity Valid October 14th, 2025 Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Drought Worsened: Portions of the southeast mountains. No Change: Portions of the south central and southeast Colorado. Drought Improved: Areas along the Continental Divide, especially across the eastern San Juan mountains. Month to Date Conditions October of 2025 started out warm and dry across south central and southeast Colorado. Abundant sub-tropical moisture entrained in orographic southwest flow brought heavy rain and historic flooding across portions of southwest mountains from October 9th through October 14th. Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts Latest 7 day average stream flows are generally around normal across south central and southeast Colorado, save for below normal across the upper Arkansas river basin and well above normal across the Upper Rio Grande basin. Agricultural Impacts Soil moisture is running at or above seasonal levels across south central and southeast Colorado. Fire Hazard Impacts The start of Fall curing of fuels has led to variable fuel conditions across south central and southeast Colorado. Mitigation Actions Please refer to your municipality and/or water provider for mitigation information. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Latest 7 day average stream flows are generally around normal across south central and southeast Colorado, save for below normal across the upper Arkansas river basin and well above normal across the Upper Rio Grande basin. NRCS data indicates statewide mountain precipitation for the month of September was 86 percent of median, as compared to 78 percent of median at the same time last year. This brings statewide WY 2025 total precipitation to 85 percent of median, as compared to 101 percent of median at the end of WY 2024. In the Arkansas basin, September precipitation was 96 percent of median, as compared to 120 percent of median at the same time last year. This brings Arkansas basin WY 2025 total precipitation to 95 percent of median, as compared to 109 at the end of WY 2024. In the Upper Rio Grande basin, September precipitation was 85 percent of median, as compared to 105 percent of median at the same time last year. This brings Upper Rio Grande basin Water Year 2025 total to 82 percent of median, as compared to 105 percent of median at the end of WY 2024. Agricultural and Water Storage Impacts Latest CPC data indicates soil moisture is running at and above seasonal norms across south central and southeast Colorado, save for slightly below normal across portions of the I-25 Corridor. NRCS data indicated statewide Colorado Reservoir Storage was at 77 percent of median at the end of September, as compared to 93 percent of median at this time last year. In the Arkansas basin, reservoir storage was at 102 percent of median at the end of September, as compared to 112 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 120 percent of median at this time last year. Long-Range Monthly Outlook for November The CPC Temperature and Precipitation Outlook for the month of November leans to above normal temperatures and equal chances of above, below and near normal precipitation across south central and southeast Colorado, save for a nod to below normal precipitation across southwest Colorado. Long-Range Three Month Outlook (November-January) The CPC outlook for November through January leans to above normal temperatures, with equal chances of above, below and near normal precipitation across south central and southeast Colorado, save for a slight nod to below normal precipitation across southwest Colorado