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(a) (b) <br />Figure 3. Changes in the Green Mountain Reservoir water level due to drought: (a) water <br />Ievel in 2002; (b) water level in 2003. <br />Warm temperatures and a statewide decrease in the snowpack had an impact on several <br />Colorado's ski resorts. 21 out of 25 Colorado ski resorts and ski areas make snow early in <br />the season, from October through December in any given year. Snowmaking in Colorado <br />was implemented as a result of 1979 and 1981 droughts to ensure a resort's opening date <br />and a good snow base. Snowmaking and associated acquisition of water rights for <br />snowmaking is considered by resorts as a major mitigation action against extreme <br />drought events. However, in severe drought, this may increase contention over water <br />rights with local communities. Overall, the direct winter impacts of the recent drought, <br />especially on ski resorts in Colorado, were minor compared to the summertime impacts <br />on other sectors of the recreation and tourism industry. <br />Secondary Hazards Associated with Drought <br />Of the secondary hazards indirectly related to drought, wildfire was the most significant. <br />Extremely dry fuel conditions resulted in 4,612 wildfires across the state in 2002, <br />creating poor air quality and increased potential for flash flooding. The state reported that <br />nearly 1000 structures were destroyed by the fires (State of Colorado, 2003). For <br />example, the Missionary Ridge Complex Fire that occurred in June and July, 2002, in La <br />Plata and Archuleta Counties, consumed 70,662 acres and 56 homes with a cost of $40.6 <br />million (USDA, 2004). The extreme dryness of fuel, unique characteristics of the <br />- topography (i.e., steep grades) and homes built in recent years in wildfire high -risk areas <br />of the wildland -urban interface contributed to the magnitude of impacts. In addition, <br />debris flows resulting from flash flooding in the aftermath of the Missionary Ridge Fire <br />caused substantial damage. Several homes that were defended during the fire were nearly <br />destroyed by the water and debris during the flash flooding that followed. <br />Even though wildfires (their number and magnitude) were in part a secondary impact of <br />drought, many communities did not identify drought as a significant hazard until the fires <br />started. Those interviewed spoke about a complex relationship between drought and fires <br />in or near Colorado resort communities. Fires are as natural to Colorado as drought is a <br />normal part of its climate. A state report indicated that Colorado typically experiences <br />