Why Do I Sunburn So Easily in Colorado?

We're Coloradans, of course, we're used to temperatures in the triple digits. We normally point at the sun and jokingly shout, "Why are you trying to kill me?"

OK, that may be a bit dramatic. It's true, however, that the sun in Colorado can do more damage to you than other states.

Yes, you can get sunburnt in 15 minutes if you're not careful. When we first heard that, we thought it was nonsense, but nope, it's just science.

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What Causes the Sun to Burn You Faster in Colorado?

In short, it's the elevation. No, that doesn't necessarily mean it's because you're closer to the sun.

Seriously, someone told us that once, and we laughed (to ourselves) and nodded with a little smirk.

The truth is, that the sun's rays have fewer UV filtering layers to get through. The higher you go in elevation, the thinner these layers become.

While it's always a good idea to wear sunblock, in Colorado, it's a must-do. Even more so if you're heading out to hike/climb one of the many 14ers in the state.

Getting Sunburnt in Colorado Isn't Just a Summer Thing

One of the best parts of living in Colorado is all the sun we receive on the reg. Some people believe we see over 300 days of sun. That number has been disputed many times; it's just not true.

Regardless, it's always sunny, even during the winter.

Skiers and snowboarders enjoy many bluebird days, even stripping down to just a t-shirt on the sunniest days.

That's a great way to enjoy a sunny day on the slopes, as long as you're protected by sunblock. The reason ... you're getting blasted by UV rays from above and below. On fresh powder, the effect is even worse..

The sun reflects off the snow. New snow is more reflective than old snow.

As we stated above, the sun in Colorado is definitely trying to kill you when you're out on the slopes.

All in all, you just need to protect yourself from the sun's harmful rays with clothing or sunblock. The choice is yours.

Cool Places to Escape Colorado's Hot Temperatures

When summer temps in Colorado become unbearable, there are locations you can go to escape the heat. Most of these locations are high in the mountains, although, that doesn't mean there's nothing to do.

We've researched these locations with an average summer temperature in the mid-80s and below. That doesn't mean the temperatures won't get hotter than this, but it's a good chance you'll feel cooler and find some chill things to do.

Colorado Features Some of the Best River Surfing Waves Around

In Colorado, river surfing is alive and well, with locals riding the waves at over 30 distinct spots – a refreshing take on the classic sport.

Gallery Credit: Tim Gray

10 Life Hacks to Beat Colorado’s Late Summer Heat

Grand Junction reached triple digits for the first time this summer back on June 12th, 2024. Since then there has been little relief from the heat and the dog days of summer are still ahead. We're sharing ten tips in the gallery below that will help keep you cool as we endure the August heat in Western Colorado.

Gallery Credit: Wesley Adams

Source: Warning: Colorado’s Elevation Makes Sunburns Way Worse

Filed Under: Colorado Weather

Categories: Articles, Colorado News