Snow in the mountains has meant great snowpack for the start of the season. Denver, on the other hand, hasn't done as well with rain and snow.
When it comes to Colorado's water we put a lot of focus on our snowpack, but a lack of rain or snow in Denver has an impact as well.
Coloradoans draw on our reservoirs throughout the year to water our yards, to water our crops, and generally to help our homes and businesses function normally. When we haven't gotten enough water and we're in a drought, farms, business and homes can suffer. And it helps shine a light on how important water is across the entire state.
Severe to exceptional drought conditions continue across western Colorado, even with a snowpack that sits well above average for many mountain areas. It's a good start, and it needs to continue for the rest of the winter season.
Along the Front Range, water hasn't been as good. Many locations in the urban corridor had below average snow and rain for the month of November.
The water we get along the Front Range won't be added to our mountain reservoirs, but according to Denver Water, it will keep a growing population from draining them.
“Any drop we can save down here, because we have the necessary moisture we need for our landscapes, is a drop we get to keep in our reservoirs," said Travis Thompson, spokesperson for Denver Water. "We live in a very dry, arid state. So we know these dry spells are gonna come. And when they come how prepared are we for them? So even if it's a short dry spell during the winter time, that's time that we still need to hand water our trees and shrubs to make sure that our landscapes stay healthy during even the winter time.”
Denver Water urges customers to use water wisely year-round.
They'll be watching the weather and the snowpack for the rest of winter to determine if we need to have water restrictions in place by the spring.