Colorado Faces Worsening Snow Drought, Raising Wildfire and Water Shortage Concerns

Experts warn of an early and severe fire season as the state's snowpack levels hit record lows

Feb. 27, 2026 at 2:15am

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Colorado is facing a severe snow drought, with statewide snowpack levels at just 61% of the median for this time of year. Experts warn this is raising concerns about increased wildfire risk and water shortages in the coming months, even as the state is still in the depths of winter. The lack of snow has already forced some communities to take action, like Frisco closing its boat ramp due to low reservoir levels.

Why it matters

The low snowpack levels are highly concerning, as the snow acts as a critical natural reservoir that provides moisture throughout the winter and slowly melts in the spring to fill the state's reservoirs. With the snowpack at record lows, there are fears of an early and severe wildfire season, as well as potential water shortages that could impact summer tourism and recreation.

The details

Colorado's snow telemetry network, which dates back to 1987, has ranked the current snowpack as the worst on record. Parts of the state are experiencing exceptional drought, the most intense level, while most of northwest Colorado is under extreme or severe drought status. The lack of snow has also forced fire agencies to delay or cancel prescribed burn projects that require snow on the ground.

  • As of February 1, 2026, the inflow forecast for the Dillon Reservoir was just 55% of normal.
  • A U.S. Drought Monitor map published on February 17, 2026 showed extreme and exceptional drought conditions spreading across Summit, Eagle, Pitkin and other mountain counties.

The players

Tracy LeClair

Public information officer for the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control.

Nathan Elder

Manager of water supply for Denver Water.

Brian Domonkos

Colorado Snow Survey Supervisor.

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What they’re saying

“We really should be bracing for an unusually early and potentially severe fire season. Some of the conditions are worse than we saw in the big years, like 2012 and 2020, where we saw some of the largest fires and some of the most destructive fires in Colorado history.”

— Tracy LeClair, Public information officer, Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control

“Snowpack right now, it's highly concerning... We're really preparing for a drought this year. We're preparing to implement some level of water-use restrictions and send out lots of communication encouraging customers to conserve.”

— Nathan Elder, Manager of water supply, Denver Water

“Just because the snowpack isn't good, doesn't always mean that the runoff won't be OK. We can have rain in the spring or even rain in the summer that can really boost runoff. Does it happen a lot? No. Can it happen? Yes.”

— Brian Domonkos, Colorado Snow Survey Supervisor

What’s next

The National Weather Service's latest one-month and three-month outlooks predict below-average precipitation across Colorado, suggesting the snow drought is likely to continue.

The takeaway

This snow drought in Colorado highlights the growing threat of climate change, as extreme weather patterns disrupt the state's critical water resources and increase the risk of devastating wildfires. It underscores the need for proactive measures to adapt to these changing conditions and protect Colorado's communities, economy, and natural environment.