Colorado Officials Push For Emergency Drought Declaration As Conditions Worsen

By: Shannon Mullane | The Colorado Sun

WINTER PARK — Members of the Colorado Drought Task Force want Gov. Jared Polis to issue an emergency proclamation to unlock more help, potentially from state coffers, in face of worrisome drought conditions. 

After a historically bad winter that ended a month early, Colorado is already feeling the impacts — whether that’s financial strain, tough business decisions or an overstressed environment. As part of the state’s response, the task force recommended Monday moving into the highest level, phase three, of the state’s drought response plan. The move could allow the state to tap more resources or seek a presidential declaration. 

“Moving to phase three and declaring a drought emergency is something we should do as soon as possible,” said Nate Pearson, assistant director for water policy for the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. “I would encourage the group to think beyond the bare minimum required in phase three and think through what recommendations we’d be confident could have positive impacts now.”

Polis activated the task force, a group of water experts and officials from water-related state agencies, and phase two of the state’s drought response plan March 16. The task force was previously launched in April 2002, May 2011, May 2018 and June 2020.

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