Weather & Climate in Dakota Ridge, CO

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Dakota Ridge experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 73°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 16.6 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 34.1 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 5,781 feet.

Temperature

33°F Jan (0°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	50.8°F
	6% below US avg
January Average	33°F (0°C)
July Average	73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	5,781 ft (1,762 m)
Area	9.6 sq mi (24.8 km²)
Population Density	3,638/sq mi
Coordinates	39.6192°N, 105.1351°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Jefferson County County
Nearest Airport	Denver International (DEN) 30 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 16.6"

56% below US avg

Snowfall 34.1"

Wettest Month (May) 2.72"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.55"

Air Quality

AQI Median	41.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively High
Risk Score	94.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability	11.4 / 100
Community Resilience	66.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively High
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Relatively High
Flood	Relatively High
Hail	Very High
Strong Wind	Relatively High
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Very High
Lightning	Very High
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Very Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Moderate
Landslide	Relatively Moderate
Volcano	Very Low
Avalanche	Relatively Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

27 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	46 km	10 km
Dec 23, 1995	7 km WNW of Rock Creek Park, Colorado	M3.5	100 km	5 km
Jan 18, 1997	8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado	M3.3	58 km	5 km
Jun 1, 2014	9 km NNW of Kersey, Colorado	M3.2	104 km	1 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	66 km	5 km
Jan 26, 2008	12 km NE of Cotopaxi, Colorado	M3.1	136 km	5 km
Sep 12, 1990	13 km NW of Silverthorne, Colorado	M3.0	92 km	5 km
Jan 19, 1997	8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado	M2.9	58 km	5 km
Jan 1, 2003	6 km SE of Aspen, Colorado	M2.9	149 km	5 km
Mar 30, 2019	7 km NE of Greeley, Colorado	M2.9	103 km	6 km
Feb 26, 2008	29 km WNW of Westcreek, Colorado	M2.9	48 km	2 km
Apr 12, 2015	5 km NE of Aspen, Colorado	M2.8	147 km	5 km
Dec 31, 1995	6 km WNW of Rock Creek Park, Colorado	M2.8	102 km	5 km
Apr 11, 2021	9 km E of Woody Creek, Colorado	M2.8	146 km	2 km
Oct 13, 2002	13 km S of Norrie, Colorado	M2.8	139 km	5 km
Jan 19, 1997	8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado	M2.7	58 km	5 km
Apr 18, 1998	8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado	M2.7	58 km	5 km
Jun 13, 2025	7 km SE of Erie, Colorado	M2.7	45 km	9 km
Jul 8, 1993	9 km ENE of Aspen, Colorado	M2.6	143 km	5 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

643 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 163 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 4, 2015	EF3	70 km	6.7 mi	0
May 22, 2008	EF3	75 km	38.7 mi	1
Jun 15, 1988	EF3	21 km	2.5 mi	0
Jun 12, 1982	EF3	56 km	3.0 mi	0
Jun 24, 1979	EF3	88 km	4.3 mi	0
Jun 13, 1977	EF3	77 km	4.9 mi	0
May 18, 1975	EF3	40 km	4.1 mi	0
May 15, 1952	EF3	93 km	7.4 mi	0
Jun 7, 2021	EF2	61 km	7.5 mi	0
Jun 8, 2014	EF2	76 km	6.0 mi	0
Jun 7, 2012	EF2	93 km	7.5 mi	0
Jun 15, 2009	EF2	60 km	4.0 mi	0
Jul 13, 1996	EF2	66 km	12.0 mi	0
Jun 15, 1988	EF2	21 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 5, 1988	EF2	45 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 5, 1988	EF2	37 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 2, 1987	EF2	45 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 20, 1987	EF2	47 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 8, 1986	EF2	23 km	1.1 mi	0
Jun 8, 1986	EF2	51 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: HAYMAN (129,417 acres, 2002).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2002	HAYMAN	129,417	46 km
2012	WALDO CANYON	20,112	79 km
2020	WILLIAMS FORK	14,679	77 km
2013	BLACK FOREST	11,885	74 km
1996	BUFFALO CREEK	11,690	29 km
2000	BOBCAT	10,444	96 km
2020	CALWOOD	9,836	62 km
2000	HIGH MEADOWS	9,607	31 km
2001	MVD PSFRXASST 4	7,375	43 km
2021	MARSHALL	6,286	38 km
2010	FOURMILE CANYON	5,865	53 km
2002	BIG ELK	4,348	78 km
2012	LOWER NORTH FORK FIRE	3,436	19 km
2003	OVERLAND	3,232	60 km
2009	OLD STAGE	3,160	54 km
2002	SCHOONOVER	2,821	43 km
2012	FERN LAKE	2,549	94 km
2020	SUNDAY FIRE	2,204	77 km
2002	SNAKING	2,080	39 km
2023	403	1,767	83 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	33°F (0°C)	0.6 in	Driest
February	34°F (1°C)	0.7 in
March	40°F (4°C)	1.6 in
April	47°F (8°C)	2.0 in
May	56°F (13°C)	2.7 in	Wettest
June	66°F (19°C)	1.9 in
July	73°F (23°C)	2.0 in	Warmest
August	70°F (21°C)	1.8 in
September	61°F (16°C)	1.5 in
October	50°F (10°C)	1.2 in
November	38°F (3°C)	1.1 in
December	31°F (-0°C)	0.8 in	Coldest

Dakota Ridge has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 31°F in December to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.7 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.7") and January the driest (0.6").

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