Exceptional Drought Intensifies Across Colorado, Denver Hits Record Levels
Colorado is experiencing a significant escalation in drought conditions, with nearly half of the state now classified under extreme or exceptional drought—the two most severe categories on the U.S. Drought Monitor. Exceptional drought alone covers 13.5% of the state. Denver County has reached historic levels, with 36.4% of the area under exceptional drought and the remainder in extreme drought. This marks Denver's worst drought reading since records began in 2000, surpassing its previous record by over 22 times. While this is not Colorado's worst statewide drought historically, the intensification and spread of drought conditions are concerning. 
