What is drought

While it always refers to having less water than we are used to, there are over 150 different definitions of drought in published papers. Drought is different for every region, and the word is used for many situations, from lack of precipitation to a city's watering rules.

Drought Impacts

Some fluctuations in weather patterns are normal, but when an area gets less precipitation (rain and snow) than normal over an extended period, it may be considered in a state of drought.

When dry conditions last for a while, plants, animals and people can be negatively affected:

• Reduced precipitation leads to less water in our soil, rivers and lakes, which can stress plants and decrease available food for animals on land and in waterways.
• Less snow and less water in our streams can stress the water supplies for both landscapes and human use.
• Climate change can increase drought impacts through changes in weather patterns, like the historically hot temperatures in early 2026. Hot temperatures and less rain and snow impact our ecosystems and increase risk of wildfires.

Impacts from reduced precipitation build over time, and our response may need to shift if dry conditions last for a long time.

Drought in Boulder

A lot of us get our water from the city we live in or a local water district. The water available for our use is called our water supply. In Colorado, our water supply depends on the weather, each water provider's water rights and water stored in reservoirs ("storage").

Typically, reservoirs in Colorado fill in the spring and are an important part of how water providers get water to customers through our hot summers, dry falls and cold winters. Water providers across the Western U.S. use storage as part of planning for the future, which includes planning for enough storage to get through dry years.

Every year, water providers must make decisions about water use and restrictions (or limits) in dry years may be needed. Cities look at weather conditions, water in reservoirs and models that predict information like how much water will flow in streams. This helps them know how much water will be available for customers in current and future years. They then compare that information with how much water customers usually use.

Colorado is in a drought, but my city isn't?

Water providers spend a lot of time planning for different situations. A big part of planning in the arid West is ensuring enough water in storage to get through a dry year. This may mean that even if the weather conditions are very dry, a city will likely have enough water for a year or two. Using water wisely can help make sure there is enough water in reservoirs for the next year.

Water use restrictions can impact community members and landscapes, so cities and water providers apply restrictions only when needed. When possible, many cities will start by asking community members to voluntarily reduce water use during dry years. This means your city may not declare drought and water use restrictions right away, even when your region is in a long-term drought.

Landscapes still need water.

As we try to use less water, remember to prioritize where to put it in your landscape. Trees and shrubs provide shade and cooling for people, and food and habitat for animals. Healthy trees are less at risk for fire, especially if you live in the wildland-urban interface. Grass that you don't use often should be less of a priority.

What can I do?

Making small, waterwise changes can support pollinators, biodiversity and health. Consider adding some of Colorado's native plants to your yard. They can handle dry years, and they will use much less water to thrive in your landscape long term.

Drought may be a part of living in Colorado, but how we respond shapes the future of our communities and ecosystems. By using water wisely and creating more resilient landscapes, we can help protect the places we love through dry years and beyond.

To learn more about the city's water conservation work, tips and water use guidelines visit our website.