Denver’s climate is one of the reasons people move here, and one of the things that surprises them most once they arrive. The air is thinner and drier than most newcomers are used to, the weather can turn in an afternoon, and some of the best-known facts about Denver are not quite true.
Here is what to expect in your first year, from the altitude to the snow, with sources for each point.
How high is Denver, really?
Denver is the “Mile High City” because it sits at about 5,280 feet above sea level, as UCHealth notes. The exact spot has been surprisingly hard to pin down.
At the Colorado State Capitol, the mile-high mark has moved several times. Earlier markers were placed on the 15th, 18th and 13th steps, based on measurements from 1909, 1969 and 2003. In July 2026, surveyors chose the 17th step for a new, more accurate marker, according to Denverite. The permanent marker is due to be installed next year.
It is a fun stop on a first weekend, and a reminder that you really are a mile up.
Your body and the altitude
You do not need to be in the mountains to notice the elevation. Living on the Front Range at 5,000 or 6,000 feet does not make anyone immune to altitude sickness, according to a UCHealth lung specialist quoted by UCHealth. Common signs include headache and poor sleep.
UCHealth’s advice for new arrivals is practical:
- Take it slowly. Give your body time to adjust before heading straight to a ski slope or a 14,000-foot peak.
- Drink plenty of water. The dry climate and the elevation both make you thirsty. Locals carry a refillable bottle nearly everywhere.
- Go easy on alcohol for the first few days. It can make altitude symptoms worse.
If symptoms are severe or do not improve, see a doctor.
The “300 days of sunshine” myth
You will hear that Denver gets 300 days of sunshine a year. It does not. In 2020, the Denver area had 115 days classed as fair, 208 partly cloudy days and 43 cloudy days, according to a National Weather Service summary cited by the Colorado Sun. An older federal ranking found the sun shining on about 69% of days, roughly 252 a year.
That is still a sunny city, with plenty of bright days even in winter. Sunscreen is a year-round habit here, not just a summer one.
Snow: it depends where you live
Denver’s snow is often lighter than newcomers expect. Seasonal totals depend a lot on where you live. The western and southwestern suburbs average about 65 to 70 inches a season, while areas around the airport average about 47 inches, according to the National Weather Service office in Boulder.
Cold can come early. The average date of Denver’s first freeze is October 7, according to the NWS.
What that means for your apartment
- Parking: if you keep a car, a covered or garage space saves a lot of scraping. Each building’s page in our Denver apartment index notes whether it has garage, covered or underground parking.
- Heat: older buildings often use radiators, while newer ones use forced air. We cover what to ask in our first Denver winter checklist.
- Big temperature swings: the low humidity means warm days can turn into cold nights, as UCHealth points out. Layers are the local uniform.
Hail season
Hail is a bigger deal on the Front Range than in most of the country. Colorado, Nebraska and Wyoming make up what meteorologists call “hail alley,” which averages seven to nine hail days a year, according to Denver7. The Front Range typically sees three or four catastrophic hailstorms a season, which runs from mid-April to mid-August, Denver7 reports, citing the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association.
Two practical points for renters:
- Your car is the main risk. Covered parking is worth paying attention to if you will keep a car outside from spring through summer.
- Renters insurance covers your belongings, not the building. Ask your landlord whether it is required by the lease.
Summer air quality
The Denver metro area does not meet federal standards for ground-level ozone. Ozone forms when pollution from vehicles and industry reacts with heat and sunlight, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, so it is mainly a summer concern. On high-ozone afternoons, people with asthma or other lung conditions may want to limit hard exercise outdoors. Check the daily air quality forecast before a long run or ride.
Choosing where to live with the weather in mind
The climate does not vary much from one Denver neighborhood to the next, but your building does. If you are moving in fall or winter, ask about heating, snow removal and parking. Our neighborhood guide for people moving to Denver compares building age and size across the city, or you can browse every building by neighborhood.
Frequently asked questions
Does Denver really get 300 days of sunshine?
No. A National Weather Service summary counted 115 fair days, 208 partly cloudy days and 43 cloudy days in Denver in 2020. Denver is still very sunny, but the 300-day figure is marketing rather than measurement.
Will I get altitude sickness moving to Denver?
Some people notice headaches or poor sleep at first. UCHealth advises new arrivals to take it slowly, drink plenty of water and limit alcohol while they adjust. Severe or lasting symptoms should be checked by a doctor.
How much snow does Denver get?
It depends on location. The National Weather Service estimates about 47 inches a season near Denver International Airport and 65 to 70 inches in the western and southwestern suburbs.
When does it start getting cold in Denver?
Denver’s average first freeze is October 7, according to the National Weather Service.
Where is the mile-high step at the Colorado Capitol?
In July 2026, surveyors chose the 17th step for a new mile-high marker. Earlier markers sit on the 13th, 15th and 18th steps.
Sources: Denverite (July 2026); UCHealth; Colorado Sun; National Weather Service Boulder; Denver7; Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Checked October 2026.