Colorado's High Elevation Leads to Earlier Sunburn Risks

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Colorado's high elevation, with cities like Colorado Springs sitting over 6,000 feet above sea level, leads to a higher UV index and increased risk of sunburn earlier in the year compared to other areas at the same latitude. The UV index can reach dangerous levels of 8-10, meaning fair-skinned individuals can get sunburned in as little as 10-25 minutes of midday exposure, even on cool or cloudy days.

Why it matters

Coloradans need to be aware of the heightened UV risk due to the state's high altitude, as it can lead to increased rates of sunburn, skin damage, and skin cancer if proper sun protection measures are not taken, even when temperatures are mild.

The details

The UV index measures the intensity of ultraviolet radiation from the sun, with higher numbers indicating greater risk of skin damage. Colorado's high elevation means there is less atmosphere between the sun and the ground, allowing more UV-B radiation to reach the surface. This can make the UV index 20-22% stronger in Colorado Springs and 15% stronger in Pueblo compared to sea level. In the mountains, the UV index can be 50-60% stronger than at sea level.

• The sun is currently gaining about 0.4 degrees of maximal height in the sky each day.
• Colorado is now 8 days away from a solar zenith (peak solar angle) above 60 degrees.
• The UV index in Colorado Springs and Pueblo is now above 8, and is expected to reach peaks in the 9 range soon.

What’s next

Residents of Colorado should be vigilant about applying SPF 30 or greater sunscreen regularly if going outside for more than 10 minutes in the middle of the day, even on cool or cloudy days, to protect against the heightened UV risk.