April, normally the third snowiest month of the year with just over 9 inches, ended up being the third driest April on record for Denver.  Only a trace of snow was recorded for the month with .23 inches liquid precipitation.  The snowpack in the North Platte River Basin was only 44 percent of normal by the end of the month.  The snowpack was much lower across some of the other Colorado river basins.  The very dry conditions prompted the Governor to request a statewide emergency drought declaration from the U.S. Agricultural Secretary, making farmers and ranchers eligible for federal assistance.The persistent dry conditions made for an early fire season as well.  The first significant fire of the season occured on April 23rd near Bailey.  Very dry and windy conditions allowed the fire, initally started by a careless smoker, to blossom into a 2400 acre blaze before it could be contained.  Fortunately no significant damage was reported to the homes or other properties in the area.

Drought in JACKSON COUNTY BELOW 9000 FEET, COLORADO
From 01-APR-02 00:00:00 to 30-APR-02 23:59:00 (MST)
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Drought in N & NE ELBERT COUNTY BELOW 6000 FEET / N LINCOLN COUNTY, COLORADO
From 01-APR-02 00:00:00 to 30-APR-02 23:59:00 (MST)
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Drought in SE ELBERT COUNTY BELOW 6000 FEET / SOUTH LINCOLN COUNTY, COLORADO
From 01-APR-02 00:00:00 to 30-APR-02 23:59:00 (MST)
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Drought in C & E ADAMS & ARAPAHOE COUNTIES, COLORADO
From 01-APR-02 00:00:00 to 30-APR-02 23:59:00 (MST)
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Drought in C & S WELD COUNTY, COLORADO
From 01-APR-02 00:00:00 to 30-APR-02 23:59:00 (MST)
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Drought in NE WELD COUNTY, COLORADO
From 01-APR-02 00:00:00 to 30-APR-02 23:59:00 (MST)
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Drought in ELBERT / C & E DOUGLAS COUNTIES ABOVE 6000 FEET, COLORADO
From 01-APR-02 00:00:00 to 30-APR-02 23:59:00 (MST)
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Drought in WEST JACKSON & WEST GRAND COUNTIES ABOVE 9000 FEET, COLORADO
From 01-APR-02 00:00:00 to 30-APR-02 23:59:00 (MST)
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Drought in S & E JACKSON / LARIMER / N & NE GRAND / NW BOULDER COUNTIES ABOVE 9000 FEET, COLORADO
From 01-APR-02 00:00:00 to 30-APR-02 23:59:00 (MST)
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Drought in LOGAN COUNTY, COLORADO
From 01-APR-02 00:00:00 to 30-APR-02 23:59:00 (MST)
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Drought in PHILLIPS COUNTY, COLORADO
From 01-APR-02 00:00:00 to 30-APR-02 23:59:00 (MST)
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Drought in GRAND & SUMMIT COUNTIES BELOW 9000 FEET, COLORADO
From 01-APR-02 00:00:00 to 30-APR-02 23:59:00 (MST)
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Drought in JEFFERSON & W DOUGLAS COUNTIES ABOVE 6000 FEET / GILPIN / CLEAR CREEK / NE PARK COUNTIES BELOW 9000 FEET, COLORADO
From 01-APR-02 00:00:00 to 30-APR-02 23:59:00 (MST)
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Drought in LARIMER COUNTY BELOW 6000 FEET / NW WELD COUNTY, COLORADO
From 01-APR-02 00:00:00 to 30-APR-02 23:59:00 (MST)
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Drought in N DOUGLAS COUNTY BELOW 6000 FEET / DENVER / W ADAMS & ARAPAHOE COUNTIES, COLORADO
From 01-APR-02 00:00:00 to 30-APR-02 23:59:00 (MST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in MORGAN COUNTY, COLORADO
From 01-APR-02 00:00:00 to 30-APR-02 23:59:00 (MST)
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Drought in LARIMER & BOULDER COUNTIES BETWEEN 6000 & 9000 FEET, COLORADO
From 01-APR-02 00:00:00 to 30-APR-02 23:59:00 (MST)
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Drought in WASHINGTON COUNTY, COLORADO
From 01-APR-02 00:00:00 to 30-APR-02 23:59:00 (MST)
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Drought in BOULDER & JEFFERSON COUNTIES BELOW 6000 FEET, COLORADO
From 01-APR-02 00:00:00 to 30-APR-02 23:59:00 (MST)
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Drought in S & SE GRAND / W CENTRAL & SW BOULDER / GILPIN / CLEAR CREEK / SUMMIT / N & W PARK COUNTIES ABOVE 9000 FEET, COLORADO
From 01-APR-02 00:00:00 to 30-APR-02 23:59:00 (MST)
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Drought in SEDGWICK COUNTY, COLORADO
From 01-APR-02 00:00:00 to 30-APR-02 23:59:00 (MST)
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER