Governor Jared Polis has declared a statewide Drought Emergency and activated Phase 3 of Colorado's Drought Response Plan in response to record-low snowpack, prolonged warm temperatures, and worsening drought conditions across all 64 Colorado counties.

The declaration follows recommendations from the Colorado Drought Task Force and the Water Conditions Monitoring Committee after months of monitoring deteriorating water conditions statewide. Phase 2 of the plan, activated in March 2026, had formally convened the statewide Drought Task Force.

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According to the U.S. Drought Monitor released on June 4, 2026, all 64 counties in Colorado are experiencing at least Abnormally Dry conditions (D0), while nearly 93 percent of the state is in Moderate to Exceptional Drought (D1-D4). This water year, spanning October 2025 to present, has been the warmest on record in Colorado. Following the lowest snowpack accumulation season on record, May 1 streamflow forecasts project runoff ranging from only 21 percent to 37 percent of median across Colorado river basins. The conditions have contributed to early snowmelt, extremely low river flows, diminished soil moisture, and elevated wildfire risk statewide.

Phase 3 activation allows the state to pursue additional emergency response actions, including potential emergency funding for unmet response needs, a potential request for a federal disaster declaration, and reductions in outdoor water usage at state facilities. Any requests for additional support or funding must be tied to specific needs and response actions, and will be evaluated by the Drought Task Force and elevated to the Governor as necessary.

"Activating Phase 3 is a message to Coloradans that our drought conditions are serious and gives the state additional flexibility to address unmet needs and continue supporting communities as conditions evolve," said Dan Gibbs, Executive Director of the Department of Natural Resources.

The Drought Task Force will meet regularly under Phase 3 to monitor conditions, coordinate interagency response efforts, identify unmet needs, elevate local impacts, and share drought resources and support available to Colorado communities and water users.