Colorado Springs Ranks as Top 15 Allergy Capital in U.S.

Climate change is leading to longer and more intense allergy seasons, experts say.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 12:21am

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A new report from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) ranks Colorado Springs as the number 15 allergy capital in the United States, up from #84 in 2025. Experts say warmer temperatures and extreme weather driven by climate change are causing plants to produce more highly allergenic pollen, leading to longer and more intense allergy seasons.

Why it matters

The rise in Colorado Springs' ranking as an allergy capital highlights the growing public health challenges posed by climate change, as longer and more severe allergy seasons can significantly impact quality of life for those with respiratory conditions like asthma.

The details

According to the AAFA report, in Colorado Springs, tree pollen peaked earlier and higher, grass pollen lasted longer, and weed pollen started earlier and peaked higher in 2025, resulting in more days with high pollen counts. A local allergist says this has been one of the busiest years yet, with the recent tree pollen season 'exploding' in intensity.

  • In 2025, Colorado Springs held the #84 spot on the AAFA's allergy capital ranking.
  • The AAFA released its latest report ranking Colorado Springs as the #15 allergy capital in March 2026.

The players

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA)

A non-profit organization that conducts research and provides education on asthma and allergies.

Dr. Jill Hanson

A local allergist who has seen a significant increase in patients this allergy season.

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What they’re saying

“Now that we're in the tree pollen season, it's just exploded. So it's been extremely busy the last several weeks, especially as the pollen counts have gone up. So, it's going to be, I think, an unfortunate year for allergy sufferers.”

— Dr. Jill Hanson, Allergist

“Most people with asthma are triggered by allergies, amongst other things. But that's another issue. I think in this area that's a little unique because not only do we have the high pollen counts, we also have the wildfire smoke and the dryness, and those can all compound to make asthma more difficult to control. So making sure we're attacking the allergy part of that is important.”

— Dr. Jill Hanson, Allergist

What’s next

Dr. Hanson recommends that those with severe allergies who are not finding relief from over-the-counter medications consider allergy shots or sublingual (under-the-tongue) allergy drops, which can provide long-lasting relief by building up the patient's immunity to specific allergens.

The takeaway

The rise of Colorado Springs as a top allergy capital underscores the growing public health challenges posed by climate change, as warmer temperatures and extreme weather lead to longer and more intense allergy seasons that can significantly impact quality of life for those with respiratory conditions.