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Weather & Climate in Cotopaxi, CO
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Cotopaxi has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 63°F in July. The area gets 330 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 13.6 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 84.3 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 6,372 feet.
Temperature
24°F Jan (-5°C)
63°F Jul (17°C)
| Annual Average | 42.8°F |
| 21% below US avg | |
| January Average | 24°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 63°F (17°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 6,372 ft (1,942 m) |
| Area | 0.3 sq mi (0.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 117/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.3728°N, 105.6855°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Fremont County County |
| Nearest Airport | San Luis Valley Regional/Bergman Field (ALS) 66 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 68.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 66.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 40.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
44 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.0.
| Dec 25, 1994 | 9 km NE of Larkspur, Colorado | M4.0 | 127 km | 10 km |
| Feb 22, 2015 | 5 km E of Stonewall Gap, Colorado | M3.6 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Feb 25, 2018 | 12 km NNE of Weston, Colorado | M3.5 | 147 km | 5 km |
| Dec 23, 1995 | 7 km WNW of Rock Creek Park, Colorado | M3.5 | 78 km | 5 km |
| Sep 1, 2019 | 16 km NNW of Weston, Colorado | M3.5 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Feb 28, 2019 | 22 km NNW of Blanca, Colorado | M3.4 | 83 km | 5 km |
| May 10, 1991 | 24 km SSE of South Fork, Colorado | M3.4 | 128 km | 5 km |
| Jan 18, 1997 | 8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado | M3.3 | 96 km | 5 km |
| Feb 28, 2019 | 22 km N of Blanca, Colorado | M3.3 | 83 km | 6 km |
| Jul 22, 2001 | 6 km WNW of Woodland Park, Colorado | M3.1 | 87 km | 5 km |
| Jan 26, 2008 | 12 km NE of Cotopaxi, Colorado | M3.1 | 13 km | 5 km |
| Apr 15, 1992 | 13 km SW of Aguilar, Colorado | M3.1 | 141 km | 5 km |
| Jul 8, 1993 | 9 km ENE of Aspen, Colorado | M3.1 | 130 km | 5 km |
| Sep 8, 2003 | 4 km SW of Aguilar, Colorado | M3.0 | 142 km | 5 km |
| Jan 19, 1997 | 8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado | M2.9 | 96 km | 5 km |
| Aug 24, 2016 | 16 km ENE of Beulah Valley, Colorado | M2.9 | 81 km | 3 km |
| Jan 11, 2018 | 19 km NNW of Weston, Colorado | M2.9 | 137 km | 5 km |
| Feb 26, 2008 | 29 km WNW of Westcreek, Colorado | M2.9 | 102 km | 2 km |
| Feb 11, 2006 | 13 km NE of Costilla, New Mexico | M2.9 | 146 km | 5 km |
| Mar 5, 2016 | 14 km NNE of Stonewall Gap, Colorado | M2.9 | 137 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
86 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 4 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 24, 1979 | EF3 | 85 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1977 | EF3 | 85 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 2014 | EF2 | 71 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 21, 1984 | EF2 | 96 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1977 | EF2 | 100 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1977 | EF2 | 92 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 11, 1977 | EF2 | 82 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 1960 | EF2 | 43 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 9, 2024 | EF1 | 67 km | 0.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 20, 2023 | EF1 | 81 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2017 | EF1 | 77 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 2014 | EF1 | 99 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 2014 | EF1 | 78 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 18, 2009 | EF1 | 67 km | 9.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 23, 2008 | EF1 | 61 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 23, 2008 | EF1 | 98 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 23, 2008 | EF1 | 97 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Aug 16, 2008 | EF1 | 83 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 27, 2007 | EF1 | 90 km | 0.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 2006 | EF1 | 82 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: WALDO CANYON (20,112 acres, 2012).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2012 | WALDO CANYON | 20,112 | 90 km |
| 2016 | IMPACT AREA | 19,918 | 83 km |
| 2016 | JUNKINS | 19,023 | 55 km |
| 1998 | UNNAMED | 18,218 | 83 km |
| 2016 | HAYDEN PASS | 17,977 | 11 km |
| 2018 | WESTON PASS | 13,169 | 79 km |
| 2006 | MATO VEGA | 13,126 | 92 km |
| 2005 | MASON | 11,630 | 61 km |
| 2019 | DECKER | 9,875 | 28 km |
| 2008 | TA-25 | 8,253 | 77 km |
| 2024 | RANGE 135 | 7,766 | 84 km |
| 2016 | BEULAH HILL | 5,769 | 74 km |
| 2018 | APACHE COMPLEX | 5,182 | 77 km |
| 2009 | QUARRY | 5,141 | 85 km |
| 2002 | HANOVER | 4,903 | 100 km |
| 2010 | MEDANO | 4,887 | 65 km |
| 2018 | CARSON MIDWAY | 4,773 | 86 km |
| 2011 | DUCKETT | 4,705 | 13 km |
| 1997 | UNNAMED | 4,380 | 90 km |
| 2002 | IRON MOUNTAIN | 3,955 | 19 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24°F (-5°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.4 in | |
| March | 34°F (1°C) | 0.7 in | |
| April | 40°F (5°C) | 0.8 in | |
| May | 50°F (10°C) | 1.1 in | |
| June | 59°F (15°C) | 1.0 in | |
| July | 63°F (17°C) | 2.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 62°F (16°C) | 2.2 in | Wettest |
| September | 54°F (12°C) | 1.2 in | |
| October | 44°F (7°C) | 0.9 in | |
| November | 33°F (0°C) | 0.6 in | |
| December | 26°F (-3°C) | 0.5 in |
Cotopaxi has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 24°F in January to 63°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 11.8 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.2") and January the driest (0.4").