Most Americans who have never lived in Colorado likely picture the Front Range urban corridor as a winter wonderland for nine months of the year. After all, Denver and its cohort of cities are the gateway to the Rockies and most Colorado ski vacations pass through this portal. But while the higher mountains can be cold and snowy for much of the year, the Front Range cities enjoy a mild, sunny climate, even in the midst of winter.
Winter snows generally average no more than 4-8 inches and quickly melt due to the dry air, intense sunshine and Chinook winds. Periods of mild weather, with highs in the sixties, are not uncommon at any time of the year; on the other hand, the high elevation and thin air usually produce overnight lows in the teens (winter) to low fifties (summer). This warm, sunny climate makes the Front Range an appealing place to live and encourages outdoor activity throughout the year. Then there's spring!
The downside, if there is one, of the Front Range climate is the fickle spring weather with its famous upslope snowstorms. Indeed, most of Denver's annual snowfall arrives in the months of March and April and heavy, wet snows may occur into May. These bouts of winter, interspersed with periods of mild, sunny weather, can be especially frustrating for gardeners; just as their spring flowers are bringing color to the yard, they are crushed by a foot of snow. And though melting is rapid, the damage to leaf-bearing trees can be extensive. Spring in Colorado: an annual headache for some, a minor inconvenience for those of us who love this climate.
