Home • Colorado Climate Trends

National Weather Service Co-op Program

Weather observations in Colorado using thermometers and rain gauges date back to the late 1800s. Some of the earliest weather stations were established in the largest cities during the 1870s by the U.S. Signal Service. In the 1880s Colorado formed a "State Weather Service" and began setting up more basic weather stations in smaller towns and rural areas. By 1890, the first nationwide civilian weather service was formed within the U.S. Department of Agriculture. State networks, such as Colorado's were combined to form a single nationwide volunteer weather observing network This same network continues today managed by the National Weather Service. What began as a few dozen stations in the 1880s grew to over 200 in the 1940s and 50s and continues today.

Learn More About the NWS Co-op Program.

Project Sponsors

» Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere
» Department of Atmospheric Science
» Colorado State University
» Western Water Assessment, CU-Boulder

Learn More these institutions.

Climate Trends of Colorado

Spring Temperature Trend for Fort Collins

Welcome! The climate of Colorado is a valued natural resource affecting our lives and livelihoods. By nature, climate is variable. No two years are ever exactly alike. Instrumental observations of our climate dating back to the late 1800s give a sense of our average climate, typical variations, extremes and long-term trends. (description of historic weather observations in Colorado). Tracking temperatures and precipitation through history reveal seasonal patterns, cold and warm periods, and episodes of drought and abundant water.

Today there is great interest in climate change. If our state is warming, these data will show it. This Website lets you view, graph and download historic temperature and precipitation data for selected weather stations in Colorado having the longest and most consistent historical data. Historic consistency is critical for accurately assessing climate trends. There have been hundreds of weather stations operated in Colorado since the 1890s, but very few have data that are complete and consistent. Even the best stations selected for this site are imperfect.

For each station shown here, a description of the history of the station is provided so that data users will know what factors may have affected the long-term time series. Learn more about factors that compromise long term weather records.

Are you aware of other high quality long-term weather data for Colorado? Let us know!

You can see all the featured Colorado weather stations on our station map. Featuring the best long term stations, you have quick access to the station information and data access all in one page.

» Give it a try, check out the Weather Station Map.

Learn about the source of climate data, from years of operation to changes in sites and observers, the station information page can offer a bundle of information along with a map of the station's location and links to climate trends data.

» Learn about the stations with Station Summaries & Information.

The Colorado Climate Center is based out of Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado. The center is really cool and does a lot for the citizens of Colorado and also provides analysis and research in Colorado's unique and exciting climate.

» Discover Colorado's Climate at the Climate Data Access section.