Drought Status Overview

• April 2026 drought is extremely severe, with 100% of Colorado under D1-D4 drought conditions.
• Compared to 2002, 2012, and 2020, drought in 2026 is significantly worse at this point in the year.
• Data from the National Drought Mitigation Center shows increasing drought intensity over recent months.
• In April 2026, no areas are free of drought, with over 97% experiencing severe or worse drought.
• Historical comparisons indicate that current drought levels are unprecedented in the past 135 years at this time of year.
• The drought map covers broad-scale conditions, with local variations possible.
• The report emphasizes the severity of drought relative to major wildfires like Hayman, East Troublesome, Pine Gulch, and Cameron Peak.
• Drought impacts are categorized as short-term (less than 6 months) and long-term (greater than 6 months).
• The data highlights rapid worsening from early 2026, with significant increases in severe drought areas compared to previous years.

You can review the full report on the Wildfire Information page or to download a copy of the full report click the link below.

usda drought monitor comparison maps 2002-2026.pdf