The Colorado Climate Center, based at Colorado State University, provides trusted climate and weather data that helps communities across Colorado, especially the Western Slope, understand how local conditions are changing over time.
For Western Colorado, the Climate Center tracks trends in snowpack, drought, temperature, precipitation, and extreme weather, factors that directly affect water supply, wildfire risk, agriculture, and outdoor recreation in places like the Gunnison Valley.
Their most useful Western Slope–focused tools and dashboards include:
- Colorado Climate Dashboard
Interactive maps and data showing temperature, precipitation, and climate trends across Colorado, including Western Slope counties.
🔗https://climate.colostate.edu/co_cag/index.html - Colorado Drought & Climate Monitoring
Up-to-date drought conditions, outlooks, and historical context used by water managers and emergency planners statewide.
🔗https://climate.colostate.edu/drought/ - Snowpack & Climate Indicators
Data and summaries that help explain changing snowpack, runoff timing, and long-term mountain climate trends critical for Western Colorado watersheds.
🔗 https://climate.colostate.edu/drought/#snowpack
A key strength of the Colorado Climate Center is translating complex climate science into clear, practical information. Their tools help local leaders, land managers, and residents better understand what’s happening now—and plan for future climate impacts in Western Slope communities.
