Yes, primarily Federal emergency assistance. Review a comprehensive summary of state and federal drought-related financial assistance (updated July 2021).
The CWCB manages two emergency drought funds in addition to year-round Drought Planning Grants:
1) Flood & Drought Response Fund for limited emergency response to both droughts and floods
2) Agricultural Emergency Drought Response Program for emergency ag water augmentation
Drought management planning includes the development of mitigation measures and a response plan to help reduce or avoid drought impacts when a drought occurs. The CWCB has recently updated the 2010 Municipal Drought Management Plan Guidance Document and accompanying worksheets to assist municipal water providers and local governments in developing local-specific drought management plans.
- NEW! 2020 Drought Management Planning: A Guide for Water Providers (PDF)
- NEW! 2020 Drought Management Planning: Worksheet template for drought response action plans (Excel)
- 2010 Municipal Drought Planning Guidance Document (PDF)
- 2010 Municipal Drought Planning Worksheet (Excel)
Agricultural producers: We have an entire team (the Agricultural Impact Task Force) dedicated to supporting you during this drought season. The Ag Task Force was initiated in June 2020, meets biweekly, and is co-chaired by CO Department of Agriculture and CO Water Conservation Board. Please email nora.flynn@colostate.edu with your questions/concerns.
Municipal water providers: The November 30th Phase 3 activation also activated a Municipal Water Impact Task Force to support water providers across the state in preparation for the 2021 water supply challenges. This group is co-chaired by the CO Department of Local Affairs and CO Water Conservation Board and representation is currently being organized. More information will be released soon.
The CWCB's Water Availability Task Force meets once a month to review past conditions and near term outlooks. Meetings are open to the public, but if you cant make it, webinar recordings, all presentations, and monthly summaries are provided here.
Visit the Colorado Climate Center's beautiful drought dashboard for essential graphics tracking state climate conditions.
Want more? See this comprehensive drought information resource list (PDF) courtesy of Western Water Assessment.