Editors note (Aug. 30): As Denver stares at a stretch of very hot days, we thought this story would come in handy for those trying to stay cool. Our original story follows below.
Denver has emerged from the thunder and rain clouds, at least for the time being, and entered "Man, it's hot out" season.
The forecast for the next week or so shows the city hitting 90 degrees and higher (even a 96 degree day). This upcoming weekend's highs will be (mercifully) in the 80s.
This stretch of days could be better than last year's July heatwave. On July 18 of last year, Denver recorded a fourth 100-degree day of the year, and the fifth triple-digit day was recorded a couple of weeks later in early August. That put 2022 in a four-way tie for third place on the National Weather Services list of "Greatest Number of 100 Degree Days by Year."
We haven't had a triple-digit day yet this year, but it's still time to break out that sunscreen and stay hydrated (just don't count on the city's drinking fountains).
Here's our crash course guide to understanding and beating the heat:
So why is it so hot?
Well, it's summer and July is usually the city's warmest month.
Climate change also isn't helping as it's been making Denver hotter and it will continue to get hotter here.
A few more things to understanding why it's hot:
- All the concrete activates the "heat island" effect, but getting rid of parking lots won't change that.
- Elevation brings us closer to the sun and gets rid of any humidity. No humidity, also means less bugs.
- More hot days will have an effect on Denver's ecosystem in the long term, including our waterways, though all that rain has helped most of the state avoid drought conditions for now.
- And yes, the sun is out to get us here.
Electrical Hassles
Some folks tough it out with the heat, while others immediately turn on their air conditioning units. Though some folks would argue, thanks to the increasing number of hot days in Colorado, that ACs are becoming a needed feature as opposed to a lucky option. (ACs are not a required thing in apartment buildings, FYI.)
With running ACs come higher electric bills and energy usage. According to Xcel Energy, cooling down your home, "can account for about half of a summertime electric bill." The energy provider released a list of ways folks can save money and energy.
A few handy tips:
- Use ceiling fans and open interior doors to improve circulation.
- Close drapes and blinds during the hottest times during the day. Also, turn off the lights and electronics if they aren't being used.
- Run washing machines, dishwashing machines and dryers during the cooler parts of the day.
- Install a "programmable thermostat" that will increase temperatures when no one is home and lower them when folks are home.
- Change the AC filters and have the coils cleaned.
Cooling Centers
If you don't have AC or just need a cool place outside of the home, libraries and recreation centers are used as cooling centers in the city.
The decision to activate "cooling stations" at recreation centers is up to the Department of Health and Environment, but that activation is typically decided if a heat advisory is issued by the National Weather Service.
Denver Parks and Recreation has previously said libraries and rec centers can be used during business hours for a cool reprieve. We'll also let you know when the city formally activates cooling centers.
Water Fun
While this New Yorker would love to be cruising down the Robert Moses bridge to the beach, the pool will do in the Mile High City. All but one of the city's public pools are open this season! That's 15 indoor pools and 15 outdoor pool options for you and yours. The one pool that is closed, Berkeley Park's pool, will remain closed for maintenance until further notice.
If you're looking for membership rates, day fees or just general rules, check here.
There are also 29 bodies of water Denverites can publicly access for fishing, boating, tubing and kayaking, though none of them are swimmable. You can wade at your own risk, but officials highly suggest not swallowing the water.
Cool treats to beat the heat
Not that you need an excuse to indulge in a soft serve cone, but National Ice Cream Day is on Sunday, July 16.
Little Man Ice Cream Company is celebrating the day with its fourth annual "Passport to Happiness." Happiness being potentially winning free ice cream for a whole year.
On Sunday, head to any of the seven Little Man Ice Cream shops and their affiliates to pick up the "passport." In order to enter into the free ice cream sweepstakes, participants must visit all seven shops and get their passports stamped before the end of the day on Labor Day, Sept. 4.
Seven winners will be announced on Sept. 6.
Here are the seven shops:
Little Man Ice Cream, 2620 16th Street, Lower Highlands
The Little Man Ice Cream Factory, 4411 West Colfax Avenue, Sloan's Lake
Little Man Central Park Ice Cream, 10175 E. 29th Drive, Central Park
Little Man Ice Cream Kent Place, 3445 S. University Blvd, Englewood
Sweet Cooie's, 3506 E. 12th Avenue, Congress Park
DANG Soft Serve, 2211 Oneida Street, Park Hill
Old Town Churn, 234 North College Avenue in Fort Collins
Besides these shops, we've got another list of places to grab a cool treat around Denver.
Manuel Aragon took us to Paleteria Zacatecas in Westwood, where he had the mango with tajin paleta.
Liz Otero told us to head to Broadway to grab drinks from Mutiny Information Café, which has ice cubes made of coffee to eliminate that water down feel and, Tí: Cafe Ta, for a strong Vietnamese coffee (or Denverite favorites strawberry matcha and cherry rose milk tea.)
Teresa Traxler Densmore said Sweet Sweetz in Skyland is the place for community and ice cream.
And CPR's Ryan Warner chatted with Yeshi Gebremeskel, an Ethiopian refugee who opened Walia Creamery in the East Colfax neighborhood.
Have any additional heat questions or concerns? Send us an email at [email protected]
