Colorado Governor Jared Polis has activated the state’s Drought Task Force for the first time in nearly six years, signaling growing concern over worsening environmental conditions across the state.
The move comes as Colorado experiences unusually warm temperatures and significantly reduced snowpack—key factors that contribute to water supply concerns heading into the warmer months.
State officials say leaders from multiple agencies will now coordinate efforts to assess drought conditions, gather data, and distribute resources to impacted communities statewide. The goal is to ensure preparedness and support at both the state and local levels.
Polis noted that Colorado is currently experiencing its warmest and driest year to date since record-keeping began, raising alarms about potential long-term impacts on agriculture, water systems, and wildfire risk.
The activation of the Drought Task Force marks stage two of Colorado’s Drought Response Plan. If conditions continue to deteriorate, the state could escalate to phase three, which includes issuing an official drought declaration.
