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El Nino brings a dose of ‘cautious optimism’ to Colorado rain, snow forecasts
Summary by Aspen News Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Ali Longwell Follow
alongwell@vaildaily.com , Glenwood Springs Post Independent
· July 21, 2026
· 7 min read
As Colorado’s assistant state climatologist Peter Goble looked ahead at the seasonal forecasts for late summer into early winter, two words came to mind: “cautious optimism.” “We’ve been stuck in this warmer-, hotter- and drier-than-normal mode now for quite some time, but the odds are starting t...
Story provenance No corrections
Summary created by Aspen News Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Ali Longwell Follow
alongwell@vaildaily.com, Glenwood Springs Post Independent Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 21, 2026 Indexed here Jul 22, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway While he said that these nine months have not been the driest on record, only three years — 1977, 2002 and 2018 — have experienced a drier start to the water year.
Why this matters in Aspen News
For Aspen, the prospect of a potentially wetter late summer and early winter brings a mix of hope and concern. As a community that relies heavily on snowfall for its ski industry and water supply, the possibility of improved precipitation is welcome news. However, the city's location in the Elk Mountains also makes it prone to flash flooding and mudslides during intense rainfall events, particularly after a dry summer has left vegetation parched and soil unstable. With the Roaring Fork River running through the city, residents and officials will be closely watching the river's levels and the potential for spring runoff flooding if the snowpack does eventually rebound. The Aspen School District and city government may also need to consider the potential impacts of changed precipitation patterns on the local water supply and infrastructure, making the upcoming water year a critical period for planning and preparation.
About this story
Original reporting by Glenwood Springs Post Independent . 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 Glenwood Springs Post Independent . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 21, 2026 ·
Source: Glenwood Springs Post Independent ·
Reading time: 7 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? As Colorado’s assistant state climatologist Peter Goble looked ahead at the seasonal forecasts for late summer into early winter, two words came to mind: “cautious optimism.” “We’ve been stuck in this warmer-, hotter- and drier-than-normal mode now for quite some time, but the odds are starting t...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 21, 2026 by Glenwood Springs Post Independent and curated for Aspen News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Ali Longwell Follow
alongwell@vaildaily.com at Glenwood Springs Post Independent. To learn more about how Aspen News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Aspen News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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