Recent rainfall is helping put a dent into the drought across western Colorado. Author: Chris Bianchi Updated: 5:30 PM MDT July 29, 2021 GRAND JUNCTION, Colo — It's not going to cure the persistent drought across western Colorado, but it's certainly a start – thanks to a recent boost of monsoonal moisture that's mostly doused southwestern Colorado with several rounds of heavy rain. The most recent update from the official United States Drought Monitor (USDM) showed noticeable improvements for parts of western Colorado, especially in the southwestern portion of the state. While it's also led to periodic flash flooding – including mudslides around Telluride last week and near Redstone this week – it's also notably chipped away at one of the worst Colorado droughts in recent memory.