- Utah declared a statewide drought emergency in May 2026.
- Colorado activated its drought response plan and drought task force.
- Federal drought disaster designations now cover counties in all seven Colorado River Basin states.
- Farmers and ranchers across the West may qualify for federal disaster assistance.
- Officials cite low snowpack, dry conditions, and agricultural losses as major concerns.
Friday, May 29, 2026 —Drought concerns are spreading across much of the Colorado River Basin as state and federal agencies respond to worsening conditions in several western states.
During the spring of 2026, governors, water officials, and federal agencies issued a series of drought-related declarations stretching from Wyoming to Arizona. Some actions were designed to improve emergency preparedness, while others opened the door to financial assistance for farmers and ranchers affected by drought.
Although each declaration serves a different purpose, together they show how dry conditions are affecting communities throughout the Colorado River Basin.
Utah Declares Statewide Drought Emergency.
Utah issued the most significant statewide drought declaration in the basin during 2026.
On May 21, 2026, Governor Spencer Cox signed an executive order declaring a statewide drought emergency 
after state officials reported the warmest winter and lowest snowpack on record.
According to the Governor’s Office, all 29 Utah counties were experiencing severe drought, and much of the state had fallen into extreme drought conditions.
The declaration allows state agencies to coordinate drought response efforts and helps communities pursue state and federal assistance when available.
Colorado Activates Drought Response Plan.
Colorado officials took action earlier in the year.
On March 17, 2026, Governor Jared Polis activated Phase 2 of Colorado’s Drought Response Plan and directed the State Drought Task Force to begin coordinating statewide drought response efforts.
State officials cited poor snowpack conditions and unusually warm temperatures as key factors contributing to expanding drought conditions.
The task force brings together water managers, agricultural representatives, state agencies, and scientists to monitor drought conditions and share information with affected communities.
Federal Drought Disaster Designations Expand.
While governors focused on drought response planning, the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a series of Secretarial Disaster Designations across the Colorado River Basin.
These federal designations are different from state drought emergencies. They primarily provide eligible agricultural producers access to federal disaster assistance programs, including emergency loan opportunities.
Arizona.
On April 30, 2026, the U.S. Department of Agriculture designated Apache, Graham, Greenlee, Navajo, and Pima counties as primary natural disaster areas due to drought.
Several neighboring counties also became eligible for certain assistance programs.
Meanwhile, Arizona officials warn that severe drought conditions affect the entire state, and say that although a strong El Niño may develop in 2026, drought conditions and extreme heat could still continue across the Southwest.
California.
On April 8, 2026, the U.S. Department of Agriculture designated Inyo, Riverside, and San Diego counties as primary natural disaster areas because of drought conditions.
Additional neighboring counties became eligible for assistance as contiguous disaster counties.
Colorado.
On April 30, 2026, the U.S. Department of Agriculture designated 33 Colorado counties as primary natural disaster areas due to drought impacts.
Many of those counties include important agricultural areas and headwaters that contribute water to the Colorado River system.
Nevada.
On April 23, 2026, the U.S. Department of Agriculture designated Elko, Lincoln, and White Pine counties as primary natural disaster areas because of drought conditions.
New Mexico.
On May 26, 2026, the U.S. Department of Agriculture designated numerous New Mexico counties as natural disaster areas because of drought-related agricultural losses.
By yesterday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture declared all 33 New Mexico counties drought disaster areas, opening the door for farmers and ranchers affected by drought-related losses to apply for low-interest emergency loans. The declaration follows worsening drought conditions across the state, where the U.S. Drought Monitor reports that all of New Mexico is experiencing some level of drought, with most areas classified as severe or extreme drought.
Wyoming.
On April 22, 2026, the U.S. Department of Agriculture designated Albany, Carbon, Lincoln, Sweetwater, and Uinta counties as primary natural disaster areas because of drought conditions.
New Mexico Responds to Drought and Fire Risks.
New Mexico officials also issued executive actions during 2026 addressing severe drought conditions and heightened wildfire concerns.
The actions were intended to improve emergency preparedness and coordination among state agencies as dry conditions continued across large portions of the state.
A Regional Challenge.
The declarations issued during 2026 reveal a common theme across much of the Colorado River Basin.
Utah has declared a statewide drought emergency. Colorado has activated its drought response plan. New Mexico has taken executive action related to drought and wildfire concerns. At the same time, federal disaster designations now cover counties in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.
The actions do not predict what conditions will look like later in the year. However, they show that state and federal agencies are responding to drought impacts that are already affecting farms, ranches, water supplies, and local communities throughout the basin.
