; Chart: Axios Visuals
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 winter temperature has increased 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.
Data:
; Map: Kavya Beheraj/Axios