Denver is an all-year round holiday city. Skiing and witnessing the largest rodeo in the world are great winter attractions, whilst a summer spent exploring the Rockies is hard to beat.
Denver climate
With over 300 days of sunshine a year, Denver is one of the sunniest cities in the US. It can be very hot in summer with temperatures regularly topping 100°F while winter can see -0°F and occasional heavy dumps of snow which can then melt away rapidly. Despite these extremes, much of the year is very pleasant and even the winter months can bring warm, sunny days.
The climate is semi-arid with the heaviest rainfall in mid-summer. The snowiest months are March and November although snow can fall as early as September or as late as May.
The average daily temperature in summer is 88°F (31°C) with low humidity. From mid-July, thunderstorms, sometimes with very heavy rain, are common in the afternoon - not a time to be caught on exposed mountains. Colorado is one of the leading states for death by lightning. Don't head on to the peaks after noon - few locals do and it can be really dangerous with lightning strikes.
The weather is more extreme in the mountains and can vary dramatically depending on topography. There's cooler temperatures in all seasons and much more snow in winter - and most of it the powdery variety loved by skiers. Summer thunderstorms are common and at the highest altitudes, snow in mid-summer is not unknown.
Annual events calendar
January: The National Western Stock Show at the National Western Complex is the world's largest. It aims to preserve the western lifestyle and features events like professional bull riding.
January - April: It's winter sports season in the mountain resorts featuring fabulous snow conditions. I-70 can be packed, particularly at weekends when the entire city seems to head for the hills.
May: The annual Capitol Hill People's Fair attracts huge crowds for a couple of days in the Civic Center Park. It's very New Age with low-impact technology and non-competitive games. You'll want to pack your sandals for this one. There's also lots of music - heavy metal; jazz; classical on a number of stages.
May - September: Hiking and climbing in the Rockies is at its best.
June - early July: The Colorado Renaissance Festival in Larkspur, south of Denver, is a wonderful historical curiosity.
Late June - early August: The seven-week Colorado Music Festival in Boulder at the Chautauqua Auditorium is one of the finest music festivals in the US. World-renowned guest artists feature in the classical music program. There are free outside events too covering a wide range of music.
Boulder's Shakespeare Festival runs at roughly the same time at the Mary Rippon Outdoor Theater on the University of Colorado campus.
July 4th: The firework display at the Invesco Center at Mile High is possibly the finest in the nation.
September/October: Denver hosts the annual Great American Beer Festival with visitors and entries from all over the brewing world.
Denver winter
Spring flowers
Mountain ridge
Colorado Welcome
