Climate & Altitude

There are over 300 days of sunshine to be enjoyed in Colorado Springs annually. At an altitude of 6,035 feet, the climate of Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak region is warm in the summer and moderate in the spring, fall and winter. Classified as an "alpine desert," the dry, clean air was once a destination to heal tuberculosis patients. Today, visitors enjoy the climate because it allows for year-round outdoor recreation. Summers are dry with temperatures in the 80s to mid 90s, with cool nights in the 60s. Spring and fall temperatures range from the mid 50s to the low 70s and winters here can be white, but normally the snow that does fall melts quickly and reveals a sunny sky again. Winter temperatures range from the low 30s to upper 40s.

At Fort Carson we are at 6585 feet of elevation. The last freeze is usually May 15th.

I recommend this web site for information on High Altitude Living.  When we first moved here it was very rough. You are out of breath, thirsty like you are in a desert and your lips need chap stick or what ever brand you use. Your nose will also dry out. Some people get nose bleeds quite often. There are nasal conditioners you can use to help with this. But it takes time to adjust!  You need to take it slow and give your body time to adjust. That means everyone. Yes you can still exercise but don't think you can arrive here and go running. That is not healthy for you.  The military will give you time to acclimate before you have a APFT!

* There is a risk for smoking for people not acclimatised to high altitude. The lower partial pressure of oxygen results in your red blood cells carrying less oxygen, and then if you add carbon monoxide, which bonds to your blood's hemoglobin 100X stronger than O2 and it can cause hypoxia.

* At high altitude alcohol will have a much greater effect on you as well. If you are used to mowing the lawn then relaxing with a couple of beers you will probably find yourself trashed. Be careful and gauge how your body feels.

* It is windy here. The wind will also mess with your hair and skin. Women, if you wear your hair short that is wonderful.  If you wear it long you will probably be pulling it back a lot to keep it from flying all over. There are a whole lot of fashionable hair accessories available to make any hair style look great!

Climate information courtesy of VisitColorado.