Colorado UV Index by City
Colorado's high elevation means thinner atmosphere and stronger UV than the latitude alone would suggest, especially in the mountains and on snow. Choose your city below for a labelled typical hourly reference and a location-aware current-UV check.
Despite its northern position, Colorado can see strong UV because higher elevation means less atmosphere filters incoming radiation. Denver and Colorado Springs can reach the EPA high (6-7) and very high (8+) bands at midday in summer. Snow also reflects UV, and the WHO advises protecting from UV 3 and up. Each linked city page starts with a labelled typical reference and shows current and forecast UV only after a usable response; these are estimates to manage burn risk, not a promise of a safe tan or medical advice.
UV by city in Colorado
Plan from Colorado UV
Source & freshness
Each city page starts with a labelled typical clear-sky reference for Colorado and replaces it only after a usable current UV response. Failed requests remain visibly labelled as reference data. Estimates only — not medical advice.
Questions
Which Colorado city has the highest UV?
Colorado Springs can run higher than Denver in typical peak references because it sits at higher elevation, where less atmosphere filters incoming UV. Both can reach the EPA high (6-7) or very high (8+) band on clear summer middays, and nearby mountain elevations are higher still. Use each city page's current-UV check before acting. These are estimates, not medical advice.
When is UV lowest in Colorado?
UV is typically lowest in the early morning and late afternoon, and seasonally during the winter months when the sun is low. However, Colorado's altitude and bright snow cover can keep exposure meaningful even in winter, and the EPA flags UV 3+ as worth protecting against. Use each city page's labelled reference for orientation and its current forecast after a usable update.
Is it safe to tan in Colorado at midday?
Colorado middays (roughly 10am-4pm) often reach the EPA high (6-7) or very high (8+) bands in summer, amplified by altitude, so the WHO advice to protect from UV 3+ applies and burn risk peaks then. No tan is truly safe because tanning is UV damage; if you're outside, the FDA recommends broad-spectrum SPF 30+ reapplied every 2 hours and after sweating, plus shade and clothing. Our tanning-time numbers are risk-managed estimates, not medical advice, and your Fitzpatrick skin type, medications, altitude and snow reflection all change actual risk.