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Weather & Climate in Golden, CO

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

Golden 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 17.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 58.0 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 5,768 feet.

Temperature

33°F Jan (0°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average50.5°F
6% below US avg
January Average33°F (0°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation5,768 ft (1,758 m)
Area10.0 sq mi (26.0 km²)
Population Density2,123/sq mi
Coordinates39.7425°N, 105.2106°W
TimezoneAmerica/Denver
CountyJefferson County County
Nearest AirportDenver International (DEN)
30 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 17.5"
54% below US avg
Snowfall 58.0"
Wettest Month (May) 2.60"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.55"

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively High
Risk Score94.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability11.4 / 100
Community Resilience66.9 / 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

28 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 61 km 10 km
Dec 23, 1995 7 km WNW of Rock Creek Park, Colorado M3.5 115 km 5 km
Jan 18, 1997 8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado M3.3 72 km 5 km
Jun 1, 2014 9 km NNW of Kersey, Colorado M3.2 96 km 1 km
Jul 8, 1993 9 km ENE of Aspen, Colorado M3.1 141 km 5 km
Jul 22, 2001 6 km WNW of Woodland Park, Colorado M3.1 80 km 5 km
Jan 26, 2008 12 km NE of Cotopaxi, Colorado M3.1 147 km 5 km
Sep 12, 1990 13 km NW of Silverthorne, Colorado M3.0 85 km 5 km
Jan 19, 1997 8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado M2.9 72 km 5 km
Jan 1, 2003 6 km SE of Aspen, Colorado M2.9 148 km 5 km
Mar 30, 2019 7 km NE of Greeley, Colorado M2.9 94 km 6 km
Feb 26, 2008 29 km WNW of Westcreek, Colorado M2.9 57 km 2 km
Apr 11, 2021 9 km E of Woody Creek, Colorado M2.8 144 km 2 km
Oct 13, 2002 13 km S of Norrie, Colorado M2.8 138 km 5 km
Dec 31, 1995 6 km WNW of Rock Creek Park, Colorado M2.8 117 km 5 km
Apr 12, 2015 5 km NE of Aspen, Colorado M2.8 145 km 5 km
Jun 21, 2018 16 km SSW of Walden, Colorado M2.7 137 km 2 km
Jan 19, 1997 8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado M2.7 72 km 5 km
Apr 18, 1998 8 km SE of Westcreek, Colorado M2.7 72 km 5 km
Jun 13, 2025 7 km SE of Erie, Colorado M2.7 35 km 9 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

614 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 161 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Jun 4, 2015 EF3 58 km 6.7 mi 0
May 22, 2008 EF3 67 km 38.7 mi 1
Jun 15, 1988 EF3 24 km 2.5 mi 0
Jun 12, 1982 EF3 59 km 3.0 mi 0
Jun 13, 1977 EF3 92 km 4.9 mi 0
May 18, 1975 EF3 42 km 4.1 mi 0
May 15, 1952 EF3 85 km 7.4 mi 0
Jun 7, 2021 EF2 51 km 7.5 mi 0
Jun 8, 2014 EF2 87 km 6.0 mi 0
Jun 15, 2009 EF2 75 km 4.0 mi 0
Jul 31, 1996 EF2 98 km 5.0 mi 0
Jul 13, 1996 EF2 70 km 12.0 mi 0
Jun 15, 1988 EF2 24 km 0.5 mi 0
Jun 5, 1988 EF2 35 km 2.0 mi 0
Jun 5, 1988 EF2 26 km 0.5 mi 0
Jul 2, 1987 EF2 44 km 1.0 mi 0
Jun 20, 1987 EF2 51 km 1.0 mi 0
Jun 8, 1986 EF2 27 km 1.1 mi 0
Jun 8, 1986 EF2 53 km 2.0 mi 0
Jul 19, 1985 EF2 38 km 0.5 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: EAST TROUBLESOME (188,924 acres, 2020).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2020 EAST TROUBLESOME 188,924 86 km
2002 HAYMAN 129,417 59 km
2012 WALDO CANYON 20,112 94 km
2020 WILLIAMS FORK 14,679 67 km
2013 BLACK FOREST 11,885 90 km
1996 BUFFALO CREEK 11,690 41 km
2000 BOBCAT 10,444 82 km
2020 CALWOOD 9,836 47 km
2000 HIGH MEADOWS 9,607 40 km
2001 MVD PSFRXASST 4 7,375 57 km
2021 MARSHALL 6,286 24 km
2010 FOURMILE CANYON 5,865 37 km
2002 BIG ELK 4,348 63 km
2012 LOWER NORTH FORK FIRE 3,436 33 km
2003 OVERLAND 3,232 45 km
2009 OLD STAGE 3,160 39 km
2011 CRYSTAL FIRE 2,855 91 km
2002 SCHOONOVER 2,821 56 km
2012 FERN LAKE 2,549 79 km
2020 SUNDAY FIRE 2,204 72 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 31°F (-1°C) 0.8 in
March 36°F (2°C) 1.6 in
April 42°F (6°C) 2.1 in
May 52°F (11°C) 2.6 in Wettest
June 61°F (16°C) 2.0 in
July 73°F (23°C) 2.2 in Warmest
August 66°F (19°C) 2.0 in
September 58°F (14°C) 1.5 in
October 47°F (8°C) 1.3 in
November 36°F (2°C) 1.1 in
December 30°F (-1°C) 0.8 in Coldest

Golden has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 30°F in December to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 18.5 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.6") and January the driest (0.6").

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