safety
Anticipated rain for Colorado’s mountains has forecasters starting to say ‘the monsoon is here’
By Ryan Spencer Follow
rspencer@steamboatpilot.com at Aspen Times
· July 16, 2026
· 1 min read
The North American monsoon season is ramping up across the West, with the potential to bring much-needed rain as Colorado faces a historic drought and major wildfires, according to forecasters.
National Weather Service forecaster Kris Sanders said that widespread, scattered showers and thunder...
Key takeaway National Weather Service forecaster Kris Sanders said that widespread, scattered showers and thunder...
Why this matters in Aspen News
For Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley, the arrival of the monsoon season brings a mix of relief and caution. The rain could help alleviate the drought conditions that have heightened wildfire danger in the surrounding mountains, a major concern given the area's history of devastating fires. However, the heavy rainfall also poses a risk of flash flooding along the Roaring Fork River, which could impact homes and businesses in low-lying areas. The Aspen School District and city government should be prepared to respond quickly in case of flooding, and residents should remain vigilant and monitor weather forecasts closely. The monsoon season's potential to bring much-needed moisture to the area is a welcome development, but it also demands careful attention to the potential hazards that come with it.
About this story
Original reporting by Aspen Times . Aspen News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Aspen Times . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 16, 2026 ·
Source: Aspen Times ·
Reading time: 1 min
Get more Aspen News stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering safety and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The North American monsoon season is ramping up across the West, with the potential to bring much-needed rain as Colorado faces a historic drought and major wildfires, according to forecasters.
National Weather Service forecaster Kris Sanders said that widespread, scattered showers and thunder...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 16, 2026 by Aspen Times and curated for Aspen News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Ryan Spencer Follow
rspencer@steamboatpilot.com at Aspen Times. To learn more about how Aspen News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from Aspen News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More safety →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter