March 4, 2026 

GRAND COUNTY, CO – The Grand County Drought Preparedness Committee has

officially declared that Grand County has moved to Stage 3 – Exceptional Drought,

prompted by a 41-year record low in precipitation levels and recent data from the

U.S Drought Monitor.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 86% of Grand County is experiencing extreme

drought, and 14% is in severe drought.

As we move into spring, these dry conditions, minimal snowpack and below-average precipitation signal likely water shortages for rivers and streams, impacting water supplies. We urge residents to be mindful of water conservation practices to help mitigate future impacts. Let’s all work together to safeguard our water resources - HELP OUT

DURING DROUGHT!                                                               

Indoor and Outdoor Water Use Recommendations/tips:

-            Voluntarily consider holding off any new landscaping in the spring until water levels return to normal.

-            If planting is necessary, limit to drought tolerant and native vegetation grown for Rocky Mountain terrain.

-            When outdoor water resumes, limit irrigation to a restrictive 1-to-2-day watering schedules and follow local water provider restrictions.

-            Repair leaky faucets and toilets

-            Limit shower times

Find more tips and resources at co.grand.co.us/1349/water-conservation .

February 9, 2026

The February 2026 water supply discussion from the Colorado Basin River Forecast Center is available here.

February 1 water supply forecasts are well below normal and summarized in the figure and table below. Snowpack and soil moisture are the primary hydrologic conditions that impact the water supply outlook, while future weather is the primary source of forecast uncertainty.

 

 

November 3, 2025

The Grand County Drought Preparedness Committee officially declared that Grand County is in Drought Warning. See all drought updates here: https://www.co.grand.co.us/1341/Drought-Preparedness-Program

As we continue into fall, above-average precipitation and cooler temperatures this fall have brought us into Severe Drought. Residents, property owners, and water users are encouraged to continue using water wisely,  now is the time to practice water conservation. Let's all do our part and prepare to help out during drought.

Conservation Tips:

• Colorado residents can collect up to 110 gallons of rainwater in barrels for outdoor use, such as watering gardens or lawns.
• Watering two days a week, between 6:00 pm and 10:00 am, helps reduce evaporation.
• Seasonal residents are encouraged to check for leaky pipes and think about ways to cut back on unnecessary water use.

Find more tips and resources at https://www.co.grand.co.us/1349/Water-Conservation

Watering a Home Landscape During Drought

During periods of drought practice water conservation guidelines:

• Always check with your local water provider for the latest drought information and water use rules and regulations.
• Hand watering of trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals and vegetable gardens may occur on any day.
• Water between 6:00 pm and 10:00 am.
• Irrigate plant materials only, not hardscapes.
• Do not irrigate during rainfall or high wind.
• Apply irrigation at lower rates to avoid excess water runoff and waste.
• Drought tolerant plants are not drought tolerant until their roots are established in the soil.

Recognize the water requirements of the plants in your landscape and use only the water that they need. To achieve maximum water efficiency, it is beneficial to understand your soil’s texture and moisture content, the current season, and your irrigation system’s precipitation output.

Read the full CSU Extension guide for homeowners and land managers to care for their landscapes in a responsible water-wise manner here: https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/watering-a-home-landscape-during-drought-7-240-2/