Colorado river Crisis Threatens Water Supply for Millions

Last month, much of the country was inundated with historic snowfall, as a massive winter storm swept across 2,300 miles of the United States. The Western U.S. was largely spared, however, and now, much of the region is in the throes of a dangerous dry spell. According to the latest data from the U.S. Drought Monitor, moderate and severe drought conditions are collectively impacting more than a third of the West. While the drought is spread across multiple states, the consequences may be especially severe in Colorado. 

The first sign of an unusual winter for Colorado came at the end of last year, when the average statewide temperature in the month of December was 35.3°F, topping the 20th century average by more than more than 10°F. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2025 was the warmest December in state history. Unseasonably warm temperatures contributed to limited snow accumulation, and currently, an estimated 46.7% of the state of Colorado is in a moderate or severe drought.

So far, the unusual weather has taken a toll on recreation and tourism. Downhill skiing is a $5 billion industry in Colorado, and according to Vail Resorts, snowfall in the Rockies was 60% below normal in November and December – and as of late 2025, only 11% of the company’s ski terrain in the area was open for use. Conditions did not meaningfully improve in January, and should the drought continue much longer, the consequences could be dire.

Every spring, snowpack from the Colorado Rockies steadily melts and flows down to the Colorado River, replenishing major reservoirs. An estimated 40 million people across seven states – in addition to about two million people in Mexico – depend on water from the Colorado River, about 70% of which comes from snow melt. Colorado’s snowpack is currently at about 57% of where it typically is at this time of year, and with each passing day, the likelihood of snowfall sufficient to make up the difference grows slimmer. 

Using data from NOAA, Climate Crisis 247 identified the parts of Colorado where the current drought could fuel severe water shortages. We reviewed data on total, cumulative snowfall in the month of January 2026 from dozens of weather stations across Colorado and compared last month’s snowfall with normal snowfall volume in the month of January. We listed the 10 weather stations with the largest difference between snowfall in January 2026 and average snowfall in the month of January between 1991 and 2020. Only weather stations that reported three inches of snow or less last month were considered. 

Among the weather stations on this list, total snowfall in January 2026 was anywhere between 4.3 and 14.7 inches below historical monthly norms. Limited snowfall is likely linked, in part, to higher temperatures. In many of these places, last month was over 5°F warmer than the local January norm. In some cases, warmer weather was enough to push average temperatures in January 2026 above freezing. 

10. Fort Collins Weather Station – Larimer County, Colorado

• Total snowfall in January 2026: 2.4 inches (4.3 inches less than local January norm)
• Average temperature in January 2026: 35.0°F (3.4°F warmer than local January norm)
• Average snow depth in January 2026: 0.1 inches
• Days with measurable snowfall in January 2026: 3

9. Colorado National Monument Weather Station – Mesa County, Colorado

• Total snowfall in January 2026: 1.6 inches (4.6 inches less than local January norm)
• Average temperature in January 2026: 35.1°F (5.4°F warmer than local January norm)
• Average snow depth in January 2026: 0 inches
• Days with measurable snowfall in January 2026: 3

8. Buena Vista 2S Weather Station – Chaffee County, Colorado

• Total snowfall in January 2026: 0.9 inches (5.3 inches less than local January norm)
• Average temperature in January 2026: 30.0°F (4.2°F warmer than local January norm)
• Average snow depth in January 2026: 0.1 inches
• Days with measurable snowfall in January 2026: 1

7. Cortez Weather Station – Montezuma County, Colorado

• Total snowfall in January 2026: 2.1 inches (5.9 inches less than local January norm)
• Average temperature in January 2026: 32.7°F (3.0°F warmer than local January norm)
• Average snow depth in January 2026: 0.1 inches
• Days with measurable snowfall in January 2026: 3

6. Rangely 1E Weather Station – Rio Blanco County, Colorado

• Total snowfall in January 2026: 1.0 inches (7.0 inches less than local January norm)
• Average temperature in January 2026: 28.2°F (11.3°F warmer than local January norm)
• Average snow depth in January 2026: 0.1 inches
• Days with measurable snowfall in January 2026: 1

5. Great Sand Dunes National Park And Preserve Weather Station – Alamosa County, Colorado

• Total snowfall in January 2026: 1.0 inches (7.1 inches less than local January norm)
• Average temperature in January 2026: 27.3°F (5.0°F warmer than local January norm)
• Average snow depth in January 2026: 0.2 inches
• Days with measurable snowfall in January 2026: 2

4. Grant Weather Station – Park County, Colorado

• Total snowfall in January 2026: 1.5 inches (8.4 inches less than local January norm)
• Average temperature in January 2026: 25.4°F (3.9°F warmer than local January norm)
• Average snow depth in January 2026: 0.2 inches
• Days with measurable snowfall in January 2026: 4

3. Gunnison 3SW Weather Station – Gunnison County, Colorado

• Total snowfall in January 2026: 1.9 inches (9.2 inches less than local January norm)
• Average temperature in January 2026: 17.5°F (7.7°F warmer than local January norm)
• Average snow depth in January 2026: 3.7 inches
• Days with measurable snowfall in January 2026: 3

2. Williams Fork Dam Weather Station – Grand County, Colorado

• Total snowfall in January 2026: 3.0 inches (11.2 inches less than local January norm)
• Average temperature in January 2026: 21.5°F (8.5°F warmer than local January norm)
• Average snow depth in January 2026: 0.5 inches
• Days with measurable snowfall in January 2026: 3

1. Mancos 1SW Weather Station – Montezuma County, Colorado

• Total snowfall in January 2026: 0 inches (14.7 inches less than local January norm)
• Average temperature in January 2026: 38.9°F (12.7°F warmer than local January norm)
• Average snow depth in January 2026: 0 inches
• Days with measurable snowfall in January 2026: 0