All Countries
Weather & Climate in Cripple Creek, CO
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Cripple Creek has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F (5°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 62°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 18.0 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 9,518 feet.
Temperature
24°F Jan (-4°C)
62°F Jul (17°C)
| Annual Average | 41.6°F |
| 23% below US avg | |
| January Average | 24°F (-4°C) |
| July Average | 62°F (17°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 9,518 ft (2,901 m) |
| Area | 1.5 sq mi (4.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 541/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.7466°N, 105.1850°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Teller County County |
| Nearest Airport | Denver International (DEN) 82 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 38.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 46.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
30 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 | 69 km | 10 km |
| Dec 23, 1995 | 7 km WNW of Rock Creek Park, Colorado | M3.5 | 23 km | 5 km |
| Feb 28, 2019 | 22 km NNW of Blanca, Colorado | M3.4 | 128 km | 5 km |
| Jan 18, 1997 | 8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado | M3.3 | 40 km | 5 km |
| Feb 28, 2019 | 22 km N of Blanca, Colorado | M3.3 | 126 km | 6 km |
| Jul 8, 1993 | 9 km ENE of Aspen, Colorado | M3.1 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Jul 22, 2001 | 6 km WNW of Woodland Park, Colorado | M3.1 | 31 km | 5 km |
| Jan 26, 2008 | 12 km NE of Cotopaxi, Colorado | M3.1 | 48 km | 5 km |
| Sep 12, 1990 | 13 km NW of Silverthorne, Colorado | M3.0 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Jan 19, 1997 | 8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado | M2.9 | 40 km | 5 km |
| Jan 1, 2003 | 6 km SE of Aspen, Colorado | M2.9 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Aug 24, 2016 | 16 km ENE of Beulah Valley, Colorado | M2.9 | 74 km | 3 km |
| Feb 26, 2008 | 29 km WNW of Westcreek, Colorado | M2.9 | 64 km | 2 km |
| Dec 31, 1995 | 6 km WNW of Rock Creek Park, Colorado | M2.8 | 24 km | 5 km |
| Jul 24, 2019 | 24 km N of Blanca, Colorado | M2.8 | 124 km | 6 km |
| Apr 11, 2021 | 9 km E of Woody Creek, Colorado | M2.8 | 150 km | 2 km |
| Oct 13, 2002 | 13 km S of Norrie, Colorado | M2.8 | 137 km | 5 km |
| Apr 12, 2015 | 5 km NE of Aspen, Colorado | M2.8 | 147 km | 5 km |
| Apr 18, 1998 | 8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado | M2.7 | 40 km | 5 km |
| Jun 13, 2025 | 7 km SE of Erie, Colorado | M2.7 | 141 km | 9 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
249 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 26 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 24, 1979 | EF3 | 26 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1977 | EF3 | 25 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 2014 | EF2 | 34 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 2012 | EF2 | 99 km | 7.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 2009 | EF2 | 72 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 2001 | EF2 | 69 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 2001 | EF2 | 70 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1990 | EF2 | 97 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 19, 1985 | EF2 | 91 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 21, 1984 | EF2 | 75 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1983 | EF2 | 83 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1977 | EF2 | 32 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1977 | EF2 | 49 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1977 | EF2 | 85 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 11, 1977 | EF2 | 33 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1961 | EF2 | 78 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 1960 | EF2 | 84 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 9, 2024 | EF1 | 7 km | 0.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 20, 2023 | EF1 | 22 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 2023 | EF1 | 91 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: HAYMAN (129,417 acres, 2002).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2002 | HAYMAN | 129,417 | 53 km |
| 1986 | UNNAMED | 25,771 | 81 km |
| 2012 | WALDO CANYON | 20,112 | 29 km |
| 2016 | IMPACT AREA | 19,918 | 40 km |
| 2016 | JUNKINS | 19,023 | 68 km |
| 1998 | UNNAMED | 18,218 | 41 km |
| 2016 | HAYDEN PASS | 17,977 | 71 km |
| 2018 | WESTON PASS | 13,169 | 79 km |
| 2013 | BLACK FOREST | 11,885 | 54 km |
| 1996 | BUFFALO CREEK | 11,690 | 70 km |
| 2005 | MASON | 11,630 | 67 km |
| 2019 | DECKER | 9,875 | 78 km |
| 2000 | HIGH MEADOWS | 9,607 | 74 km |
| 2008 | TA-25 | 8,253 | 32 km |
| 2024 | RANGE 135 | 7,766 | 40 km |
| 2001 | MVD PSFRXASST 4 | 7,375 | 54 km |
| 2002 | MILNE/SQUIRREL | 6,568 | 56 km |
| 2016 | BEULAH HILL | 5,769 | 79 km |
| 2018 | APACHE COMPLEX | 5,182 | 42 km |
| 2009 | QUARRY | 5,141 | 37 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24°F (-4°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
| February | 24°F (-4°C) | 0.6 in | |
| March | 30°F (-1°C) | 1.1 in | |
| April | 37°F (3°C) | 1.2 in | |
| May | 46°F (8°C) | 1.7 in | |
| June | 56°F (13°C) | 1.7 in | |
| July | 62°F (17°C) | 2.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 59°F (15°C) | 2.9 in | Wettest |
| September | 52°F (11°C) | 1.5 in | |
| October | 42°F (6°C) | 1.0 in | |
| November | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.7 in | |
| December | 23°F (-5°C) | 0.7 in | Coldest |
Cripple Creek has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 23°F in December to 62°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.2 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.9") and January the driest (0.4").