Ouray County endured severe drought conditions in 2020, after a record water year in which officials were worried about flooding.

Drought gripped southwestern Colorado and Ouray County was one of 4o counties designated for disaster relief due to dry conditions impacting forage for livestock and crops. Reservoirs drained, junior water-rights users were denied access to irrigation as the hot summer progressed with dusty conditions and no hope of rainfall.

Little precipitation fell over the summer an...