The Climate Challenge

As a part of the planning process for the Eagle County Community Resilience Plan, surveys were conducted and used to understand how Eagle County residents perceive the impact of climate change now and into the future. This survey helped the study team understand which key climate concerns needed to be prioritized and addressed in the final plan.

In a recent survey, 94.7% of participating Eagle County residents expressed that they were “very” or “somewhat concerned” about the impacts of a changing climate.

In a recent survey, community members indicated that they were most concerned about wildfire, less snowpack, and drought.

The climate in Eagle County is changing. We have seen wildfires destroy homes and buildings. We have experienced drought years decreasing our drinking water supply, reducing snowfall that shortens the ski-season, and limiting water available in streams and rivers for both animals and people. We have also seen flood waters rise quickly, requiring prompt emergency response and evacuations. The health of our residents and visitors, our economic growth, critical infrastructure, and our natural resources are all already being affected by these changes and are projected to get more severe in the future.

Rising Temperatures

Since 1980, state-wide temperatures have increased by 2° Fahrenheit and are expected to continue to rise. By 2050, the average annual statewide temperature is projected to increase by 3.5°F to 6.5°F [1]. Increasing temperatures poses potential health threats to our communities, increases wildfire risk, increases the severity of drought conditions, and negatively impacts snowpack [9].

Reducing Snowpack

Since 1980, the region is already observing 23 days per year without freezing temperatures, and scientists predict there will be an additional 30 fewer days a year without freezing temperatures by 2060 [2]. In addition, peak runoff has shifted 1-3 weeks earlier [1]. Over the last 60 years, April snowpack in the Western US has declined in 90% of areas measured, resulting in a 23% decrease in annual snow [3]. The snow season shortened by an average of 34 days in the U.S. between 1982 and 2016, and total snow amount decreased by up to 41% in some areas [4].

Increasing wildfire risk

In conjunction with the results of historic federal fire suppression policies, climate change is exacerbating the frequency, intensity, and size of wildfires in Colorado. Studies project a 50%-200% increase in wildfire area burned in Colorado by 2050 [6]. Wildfire poses a risk to human safety, property, and our natural resources [7]. In addition, smoke from wildfires are a human health hazard, especially to those with existing health concerns. To learn more about the current wildfire risk in Eagle County, view the Eagle County Wildfire Risk map viewer here.

Increasing Drought

Every 1° F increase in temperature correlates with a 3-4% decrease in water supply, therefore estimates indicate that there has been a 6-8% decline in our water supply since 1980 [2]. In addition, higher temperatures and drought contributed to a 17-50% reduction in the Colorado River streamflow between 2000 - 2014 [10]. Drought conditions vary from year to year, and projections indicate that precipitation patterns will become more variable for Eagle County over the coming decades due to climate change [9]. To learn more about the current drought risk in Eagle County, view the National Drought Mitigation Center map here.

Increasing precipitation Variability

Climate projections indicate that spring, summer, and fall seasons will experience only moderate changes in precipitation (+/- 15% annually) but much more variability. Changing precipitation patterns is leading to increased variability in vegetation patterns, increasing wildfire risk, and less predictable growing seasons [9]. In the winter season, general precipitation levels are expected to increase, leading to fewer days below freezing; therefore, more precipitation events will occur as rain instead of snow.

Increasing Flooding

Climate projections show that precipitation events will become more extreme in the coming decades, potentially leading to more flooding events. Only moderate changes in the amount of precipitation in Eagle County annually is likely (+/- 15% annually), yet this will vary from year to year. In addition, peak run-off is already 1-3 weeks earlier and expected to continue to change, potentially exacerbating the impacts of extreme precipitation events [1]. Flooding impacts our infrastructure, watersheds and ecosystems, and frontline community members.