While this winter’s mild temperatures have brought sunny skies and bluebird days, this year’s drought has broader implications for water availability in Colorado and across the West.

Large portions of the West rely heavily on mountain snowpack for their water supply. Within Colorado much of the Front Range receives its water from the Western Slope of the Rocky Mountains. This water is transported through a network of pipelines and is stored in reservoirs that release it gradually through the spring and summer. However, Colorado is increasingly experiencing reduced snowfall, earlier spring runoffs, and rising temperatures that are reducing available water supplies. Currently, roughly 80% of the state is facing drought, with almost half the state in severe, extreme, or exceptional drought and with Governor Polis moving to Phase 2 of Colorado’s Drought Response plan and the State’s Drought Trask Force on March 16, 2026 (see memo here).

The timing of this year’s drought also coincides with major water governance challenges. States that rely on the Colorado River have been negotiating water use reductions to prevent Lake Powell from falling below “dead pool,” the point at which water can no longer be released for drinking water, agriculture, or power generation. Water levels in both Lakes Powell and Mead have declined due to reduced flows in the Colorado River, and Lake Powell is currently less than 25 percent full. Because the Colorado River is fed primarily by snowmelt from the Rocky Mountains, this year’s dry winter will not improve river flows. The situation is further complicated by the inability of Colorado River Basin states to reach an agreement on water use reductions. With negotiations between the states at an impasse, the federal government is now responsible for imposing reductions that will affect all Colorado River Compact states.

Coupled with these federal considerations, Western states are also facing rising water demands driven by population growth and water intensive development, such as data centers. Growing demand is placing pressure on cities to secure new water supplies. In some cases, municipalities have been forced to pursue agricultural water rights through a practice commonly referred to as agricultural “buy and dry.” While this approach increases municipal water supplies, it can result in job losses and reduced agricultural production.

Combined, this means Colorado’s water outlook will be complex, in both the near and long-term, which will require new policies and collaboration across sectors to address water resource management challenges. Colorado already passed innovative legislation establishing the Colorado River Drought Task Force, a group responsible for developing policy recommendations and facilitating collaboration to address challenges in the Colorado River Basin. Water utilities also have opportunities to collaborate through joint water supply planning, data sharing, and regional monitoring initiatives.

Brendle Group has long been working with communities and businesses on projects to integrate water and land use management, implement conservation measures, and equip communities with tools to track water savings and manage drought impacts. Through the development of water element components for comprehensive plans, Brendle Group has also facilitated conversations between water providers and counties that led to water efficiency recommendations counties can use to more sustainably manage water resources.

While the prospect of a drier future can feel discouraging, collaborative water management practices and strategies have the potential to create substantial cumulative water savings, allowing communities to more sustainably manage limited water.

Plan for drought before it arrives.
If your community or organization does not have an up‑to‑date drought management or water shortage response plan, now is the time to develop one. Clearly defined triggers, response actions, and communication protocols allow for faster, more coordinated action when conditions worsen.

Integrate water into broader planning decisions.
Water supply and demand should be considered alongside land use, economic development, and infrastructure planning. Aligning comprehensive plans, zoning decisions, and capital improvement programs with long‑term water availability can help avoid costly mismatches between growth and supply.

Prioritize efficiency and demand management.
The most reliable water supply is often the water you don’t have to use. Expanding conservation programs, updating water efficiency standards, and tracking real‑time water use data can create meaningful, cumulative savings across sectors.

Engage businesses and large water users.
Corporate and institutional water users have an important role to play. Assessing water risk, setting efficiency targets, and integrating water stewardship into sustainability strategies can reduce operational risk while supporting broader community goals.

Start the conversation now.
Whether you are a utility, local government, or organization, proactive planning is far more effective than reactive decision‑making. Taking steps today, before drought impacts intensify, positions communities to respond more effectively, protect critical resources, and adapt to a changing water future.