COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- Recent rains have brought much needed moisture to the area. The moisture has significantly eased the drought in the state.

In 2002, the year of the Hayman fire, conditions were extreme and exceptional across the state. By April of this year, abundant snowfall had given some relief to the mountains, but Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak region remained in a severe drought.

A steady moisture flow into the state brought abundant rains in the summer. Now, as of the first week of August, over 99% of the state is drought-free, the exception being the extreme southeast corner of Baca county.

While this is great news for water levels, Steve Barry with Colorado Springs Utilities reminds people to continue conserving water, something he notes the public has done a good job doing.

Southern Colorado is considered an arid climate, so things can quickly change. However, the rainfall has been very healthy so far.