WELCOME TO THE MILE HIGH CITY
At 5,280 feet above sea level, Denver really is the Mile High City! The air is thinner and drier
here, so by following these few, simple suggestions, your visit will be comfortable and fun!
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Drink plenty of water. Hydration is the number one way to adjust to the climate and
altitude. Drink plenty of water before and during your stay (and also pack lip balm, lotion,
sunglasses, and eye moisturizer, too). It’s a good thing that Rocky Mountain water is
some of the best in the country, straight from the tap.
Limit your alcohol consumption: You’ll feel the effects of wine and liquor more quickly
than at lower altitudes. Also, alcohol dehydrates you. (Hint, drink plenty of water!)
Take it easy with exercise. If you exert yourself too much, you may experience shortness
of breath or headaches. (Hint: drinking plenty of water helps!)
You’re a mile closer to the sun. You can get a sunburn in a fraction of the time than it
takes at lower altitudes. Plan on using sunscreen with a high SPF if you spend time in
the sunshine.
Colorado’s weather changes. The weather can change at a moment’s notice. Hot and
dry can change to cool and rain, or even cold and snow regardless of the season. It’s a
good idea to dress in layers. (Remember that hotel air conditioning can be tricky, too.)
Denver’s average high temperature in May is 72o, the average low is 42o , and the
average precipitation is just over 2.5 inches, usually in the form of snow.
A great place for vacations. If you plan to stay a while and visit higher altitudes or climb
one of Colorado’s fifty-three “fourteeners” (a mountain over 14,000 feet) wait until the
second or third day you are here. Sightseeing, fishing, camping, hiking, climbing, white
water rafting, etc. (especially above 7,000 feet) are best done after you’ve acclimated a
bit to the altitude. An important side note: if you do plan to participate in adventurous
activities, please remember that appropriate footwear, outerwear, food, first aid supplies
and water are necessary accessories to bring with you. (When it’s 80o in the city, it can
be 35o at higher elevations.) And finally, the Colorado back country is wild and so are its
animals; never hike or climb alone.
Oh, and one more thing: Rocky Mountain Oysters are not shellfish. Google it!
Above all (pun intended), we want you to be safe and enjoy all
that our beautiful state has to offer!