Colorado's Drought: Farmers, Tribes Adapt Amid Water Crisis

Colorados Ute Mountain Ute Farm and Ranch face a dire drought, with just 14% of normal water expected this year, forcing them to fallow 900 fields and let crops go dormant by June. Statewide snowpack plummeted, and reservoirs sit at 89% capacity, but southwestern Colorado and parts of the eastern plains have below-average supplies. Rural communities are struggling, with producers shrinking herds, cutting crops, and reducing worker hours. The Ute operation plans to idle over 6,000 acres, install small hydropower units, and build a new reservoir to stretch every drop. Summer monsoons or a strong El Niño might bring relief, but managers arent banking on it. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/7654bc6a25c49fe9