From the sounds of it, Co has seen some good rainfall in the high country. I just spent 4 days up in the high country scouting for deer and doing some fishing, it was really lush, a far cry from the valley (the hell hole). The lake is located at 7500', about summit level, and we had rain on 1 evening. I did get into some deer, and with the help of google earth, located a spring in the backcountry with plenty of sign. The high country lakes are still at capacity, and the smell of fall is in the air. Can't wait for the leaves to turn.
As for the valley of hell and their politics, they can have it, I'm no flatlander. I live in the foothills between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe at 3500", and have the opportunity to wet a line any day of the week. I hear plenty about our water wars, and am terrified as to the repercussions of our elected officials sending our water south to LA to feed the desert.
Here's a pic of the lake I will use as my base camp.