Explorer Stephen Long called Colorado “the Great American Desert,” and true to his observation, the state is currently experiencing a severe drought. This map from the USDA shows what parts of the country are currently experiencing drought, and all of Colorado is highlighted, with the metro area and north central part of the state under “moderate” drought conditions while other parts are “severe,” “extreme,” or “exceptional,” as is the case for southeastern Colorado. For more information on drought in Colorado see the Colorado Drought Mitigation and Response Plan and Historical Perspectives on Colorado Drought. For resources on dealing with drought at your home or farm, these publications from the Colorado State University Extension can be particularly useful:
- Alternative Feeds for Cattle During Drought
- Drought-Tolerant Trees for Colorado Landscapes
- Herbicide Performance During Drought
- Home Landscape Watering During Drought
- Making Decisions and Coping Well with Drought
- Managing Small Acreage Pastures During and After Drought
- Stretching Your Horse’s Hay Supply During Drought
- Xeriscaping: Garden Flowers
- Xeriscaping: Ground Cover Plants
- Xeriscaping: Trees and Shrubs
Other drought-related publications available from our library include:
- Characteristics of 20th Century Drought in the United States
- Colorado’s Water: Climate, Supply, and Drought
- Drought and Water Supply Assessment
- Ground Water in Colorado, A Primer
- History of Drought in Colorado
- In the Midst of Drought
- Planning for Drought on Colorado Rangeland
- State Drought Preparedness
- State Water Policies and Programs
- Water Conservation Plan Development Guidance Document
- How to Spot the Differences Between Eagles and Hawks - August 16, 2021
- How Transportation Projects Help Tell the Story of Colorado’s Past - August 9, 2021
- Time Machine Tuesday: The Night the Castlewood Canyon Dam Gave Way - August 3, 2021