In contrast to Denver and the Front Range....

[Scott Patterson]

This is an interesting contrast to some of the other parts in Colorado.

Much of Colorado is well below normal in precipitation (including where I live). It has been overall drier than normal. We got almost completely missed by the last storm and only had a little snow (though much more fell not far south). Check out the statement for much of western Colorado:

http://wwa.colorado.edu/IWCS/2009_October.html

October 2009 Summary

Hydrological Conditions— Since July, dry conditions have been alleviated in eastern Colorado but have emerged in far southern Utah and southwestern Colorado, with some areas of moderate (D1) and severe (D2) drought.

Temperature & Precipitation— Temperature anomalies across the region during September largely reflected the precipitation anomalies, with warmer-than-average temperatures in all areas other than the eastern slope of Colorado. Most of the region was drier than average in September, with only eastern Colorado receiving above-average precipitation.

ENSO— The El Niño event which began in July has recently strengthened and is now in the “moderate” category. El Niño conditions are forecasted to persist through the winter.

Climate Forecasts— Seasonal outlooks indicate enhanced risk of above-average temperatures across much of the West in November 2009 and through the winter; the Intermountain West region is forecast to have "equal chances" of high or low precipitation over those periods.