By Chris Sorensen

While southeast Colorado remains largely drought-free, a growing portion of the state has returned to abnormally dry conditions over the past few months, and moderate drought is again impacting areas in the southwest and north central portions of the state.

Much of Huerfano County, and portions of Las Animas and Custer Counties, have returned to abnormally dry conditions. Elbert County is also abnormally dry, as well as more than half of Lincoln County.

Northern and western Colorado, as well as a substantial area of the southwest, are also rated as abnormally dry.

Moderate drought has returned to southern Montezuma County. In north central Colorado, all of Broomfield and significant portions of Larimer and Boulder Counties are in moderate drought. Small portions of Jefferson and Adams Counties are also impacted.

Just one year ago, drought conditions had largely receded from the state, with only two percent showing abnormal dryness. Three months ago, less than four percent of the state was in that category. This week, one-third of the state is abnormally dry, and moderate drought – the lowest category – is impacting 1.5%.