Colorado Groups Cut Water Deal to Keep Fisheries, Rafting and Recreation Afloat Amid ‘Catastrophic Drought’

Colorado groups cut water deal to keep fisheries, rafting and recreation afloat amid ‘catastrophic drought’

One of Colorado’s most popular rivers for rafting and angling is getting a last-minute boost of water to support fishery health and recreation through the tail end of the drought-stricken summer. Flows on the Arkansas River have trended toward record lows most of summer, according to state data. As water levels have continued to drop, the Southern Colorado Water Conservancy District approved a cooperative effort Aug. 6 to dedicate 2,500 acre-fee…

Exceptional drought expands as less than one percent of Colorado remains drought-free

Exceptional drought expands as less than one percent of Colorado remains drought-free mps-post Thu, 08/13/2026 - 14:22 Image (Kiowa County Press) Drought conditions continued to deteriorate across Colorado over the past week, leaving less than one percent of the state free of drought or abnormally dry conditions, according to data released Thursday by the National Drought Mitigation Center. Exceptional drought - the most severe category - expa…

Colorado drought forces hay farms to look out of state as feed supply tightens

A Fort Collins hay farm is down at least 75% in production this year, and farmers across Northern Colorado warn the drought is creating a ripple effect through the food supply.