(Denver, CO) — Colorado is considering following Utah’s lead after Utah declared a drought emergency. Governor Jared Polis has activated Colorado’s Drought Task Force and moved the state into Phase 2 of its drought response plan. Officials are monitoring impacts on agriculture, recreation and fisheries and could recommend a formal emergency declaration if conditions worsen. Utah recently declared an emergency after record-low snowpack levels and worsening water shortages. Despite recent rain, drought concerns persist across the region due to depleted reservoirs and below-normal snowpack.