Denver's winters are warming up
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Winters across many of the Lower 48 states, including Colorado, have warmed significantly over the past three decades — a troubling trend tied to human-caused climate change.
Why it matters: Rising temperatures during meteorological winter (December through February) threaten Colorado's winter sports industry, strain water supplies, and could reshape the state's cultural identity.
By the numbers: Denver's average winter temperature from December to February has climbed from 33.7 degrees Fahrenheit in 1970 to 34.3 degrees in 2024, according to an analysis from the research group Climate Central.
- Overall, Denver's winters have warmed 1.4 degrees since over the last 54 years.
- Alamosa County leads the state, with a spike of 3.9 degrees.
Zoom out: States known for their cold weather — like Minnesota, Wisconsin, New York, Vermont and Maine — are among those warming fastest, the research shows.
