Colorado Records Warmest, Among Driest Years
A High Country News analysis finds 2026 ranked as the hottest year and one of the driest in the state's recorded history.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Current Conditions
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High Country News analysis found 2026 was the warmest year in Colorado's recorded history and one of the driest. Record-low snowpack last winter contributed to wildfires that burned about 318,000 acres during the summer months.
Why it matters
The combination of record heat, drought and low snowpack has reshaped Colorado's water and fire conditions, with effects reaching reservoirs, rivers and glaciers across the state. Its residents face continued pressure on water supplies as the state's new water year begins.
The analysis draws on Colorado's recorded weather history to rank 2026 among the warmest and driest years on record, with roughly 318,000 acres burned in summer wildfires. Its findings do not yet indicate whether the early wet season will meaningfully offset the year's deficits.
The players
High Country News
A nonprofit media organization focused on environmental and natural resource coverage across the American West, which published the analysis.
The details
Warmer temperatures caused St. Mary's Glacier near Idaho Springs to disappear completely this summer for the first time in more than 100 years. Drought and agricultural water diversions reduced the Colorado River's flow near Palisade to a trickle, while more than 6 inches of rain in 48 hours near the Rio Grande and San Juan headwaters added 50 feet of water to Navajo Reservoir.
Timeline
Last winter: record-low snowpack set the stage for wildfires.
Summer 2026: wildfires burned about 318,000 acres and St. Mary's Glacier disappeared.
October 2026: Colorado's new water year began with a wet start.
October 2026: heavy rain fell over 48 hours near the Rio Grande and San Juan headwaters.
Seasonal Patterns
The analysis places 2026 against Colorado's recorded history, ranking it among the warmest years and among the driest the state has measured. That placement shows how this year's heat and dryness compare with the state's prior record rather than with a regional average.
Residents should monitor local water restrictions and wildfire conditions as the new water year begins. Those living near rivers or reservoirs should stay alert for changes in flow and water levels.
The takeaway
Colorado's 2026 record combines heat, drought and low snowpack, and the early wet season does not erase those deficits. Residents should track water conditions closely as the new water year unfolds.
Further reading
For the latest measurements, see Current Conditions across Colorado.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Brazil Sun.
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