Counties in Colorado with the fastest-rising temperatures in the last 100 years
Written by:
January 3, 2023
tradville // Shutterstock
Counties in Colorado with the fastest-rising temperatures in the last 100 years
Hitting 116 degrees F in normally temperate Portland, Oregon. 105 degrees in Reno in September, just as summer is meant to be waning. And in California's Death Valley National Park, temperatures hit almost 130 degrees in the aptly named Furnace Creek, marking a world record for the hottest September day in history.
2021 and 2022 saw some of the hottest temperatures ever recorded, as across the country extreme heat waves wreaked havoc on communities accustomed to more moderate weather. For many regions, the consequences were grave: in the 2021 Western heatwave, hundreds lost their lives, largely due to a lack of air conditioning, and wildfires ravaged the area.
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Map of the past year's temperatures compared to the 100-year average
While not every county in the nation has experienced such extreme heat, climate change has dramatically changed the heat landscape in nearly every state. Coastal regions and the Southern U.S. are particularly vulnerable to rising temperatures, and are also frequently targets of extreme weather events like hurricanes and tornadoes.
Just as all states are not impacted equally by rising temperatures, regions within states have also seen widely different temperature changes over the last decades. Factors such as proximity to urban areas, bodies of water, and mountains can dramatically change the climate of a region. Stacker cited data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Center for Environmental Information to identify the counties in Colorado with the greatest departure from average temperatures during the period December 2021 to November 2022 compared to the 1901-2000 average. Average temperature over the past year served as a tiebreaker. Additional data on recent average high and low temperatures for each county is also included.
#50. Baca County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 54.8 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #16 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.5 F (0.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 71.1 F (3 F above century average)
- #16 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.5 F (0.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 71.1 F (3 F above century average)
#49. Boulder County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 45.5 degrees Fahrenheit (1.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.4 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.6 F (1.6 F above century average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.4 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.6 F (1.6 F above century average)
#48. Douglas County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.1 degrees Fahrenheit (1.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #15 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.9 F (1.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62.3 F (1.8 F above century average)
- #15 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.9 F (1.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62.3 F (1.8 F above century average)
#47. Lincoln County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 50.5 degrees Fahrenheit (1.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #19 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.6 F (0 F below century average)
- Recent average high: 67.4 F (3.3 F above century average)
- #19 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.6 F (0 F below century average)
- Recent average high: 67.4 F (3.3 F above century average)
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#46. Las Animas County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 52 degrees Fahrenheit (1.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.6 F (1.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 67.3 F (2.2 F above century average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.6 F (1.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 67.3 F (2.2 F above century average)
#45. Kiowa County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 53.4 degrees Fahrenheit (1.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 37.2 F (0.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 69.6 F (3.5 F above century average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 37.2 F (0.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 69.6 F (3.5 F above century average)
#44. Otero County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 54.1 degrees Fahrenheit (1.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #20 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 37.5 F (0.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 70.6 F (3 F above century average)
- #20 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 37.5 F (0.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 70.6 F (3 F above century average)
#43. Routt County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 40.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #20 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 27.5 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 53.2 F (2.3 F above century average)
- #20 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 27.5 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 53.2 F (2.3 F above century average)
#42. Moffat County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 44.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #24 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 30.8 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 57.7 F (2.1 F above century average)
- #24 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 30.8 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 57.7 F (2.1 F above century average)
#41. Huerfano County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 47.8 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #16 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.5 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61.9 F (1.7 F above century average)
- #16 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.5 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61.9 F (1.7 F above century average)
#40. Washington County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 50.6 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.4 F (0.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 66.7 F (3.5 F above century average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.4 F (0.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 66.7 F (3.5 F above century average)
#39. Pueblo County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 53.2 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #15 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 37.5 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 68.8 F (2.3 F above century average)
- #15 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 37.5 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 68.8 F (2.3 F above century average)
#38. Prowers County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 54.8 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #15 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.3 F (-0.1 F below century average)
- Recent average high: 71.3 F (3.7 F above century average)
- #15 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.3 F (-0.1 F below century average)
- Recent average high: 71.3 F (3.7 F above century average)
#37. Saguache County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 40.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 25.8 F (1.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 54.8 F (2.5 F above century average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 25.8 F (1.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 54.8 F (2.5 F above century average)
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#36. Garfield County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 44 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.2 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 55.8 F (1.9 F above century average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.2 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 55.8 F (1.9 F above century average)
#35. Archuleta County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 44.5 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #16 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 30.5 F (2.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.5 F (1.1 F above century average)
- #16 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 30.5 F (2.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.5 F (1.1 F above century average)
#34. Elbert County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.6 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.6 F (0.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 64.6 F (3 F above century average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.6 F (0.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 64.6 F (3 F above century average)
#33. Bent County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 54.6 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 37.9 F (0.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 71.2 F (3.3 F above century average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 37.9 F (0.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 71.2 F (3.3 F above century average)
#32. Arapahoe County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 50.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #16 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.4 F (1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 65.9 F (2.9 F above century average)
- #16 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.4 F (1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 65.9 F (2.9 F above century average)
#31. Logan County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 50.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #19 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35 F (0.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 66.8 F (3.8 F above century average)
- #19 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35 F (0.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 66.8 F (3.8 F above century average)
#30. Crowley County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 52.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #16 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35.8 F (0.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 70 F (3.4 F above century average)
- #16 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35.8 F (0.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 70 F (3.4 F above century average)
#29. Gunnison County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 39.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 26 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 52.3 F (2.3 F above century average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 26 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 52.3 F (2.3 F above century average)
#28. Conejos County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 41.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #14 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 27.2 F (1.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 55.7 F (2.7 F above century average)
- #14 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 27.2 F (1.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 55.7 F (2.7 F above century average)
#27. Rio Blanco County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 44.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.2 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 57.4 F (1.7 F above century average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.2 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 57.4 F (1.7 F above century average)
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#26. El Paso County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 49.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.3 F (1.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 64 F (3 F above century average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.3 F (1.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 64 F (3 F above century average)
#25. Broomfield County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 51.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #15 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.9 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 66.5 F (2.2 F above century average)
- #15 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.9 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 66.5 F (2.2 F above century average)
#24. Cheyenne County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 52.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #14 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.7 F (0.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 68.6 F (4.2 F above century average)
- #14 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.7 F (0.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 68.6 F (4.2 F above century average)
#23. Denver County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 51.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #15 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 37.2 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 66.5 F (2.2 F above century average)
- #15 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 37.2 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 66.5 F (2.2 F above century average)
#22. Costilla County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 43.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 28.8 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 57.6 F (2.6 F above century average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 28.8 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 57.6 F (2.6 F above century average)
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#21. Larimer County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 43.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 30.3 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 56.2 F (2.6 F above century average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 30.3 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 56.2 F (2.6 F above century average)
#20. Adams County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 50.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.9 F (1.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 66.6 F (3.1 F above century average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.9 F (1.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 66.6 F (3.1 F above century average)
#19. Sedgwick County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 51.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #10 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.3 F (1.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 66.4 F (3.3 F above century average)
- #10 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.3 F (1.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 66.4 F (3.3 F above century average)
#18. Weld County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 49.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #15 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.3 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 65.5 F (2.9 F above century average)
- #15 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.3 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 65.5 F (2.9 F above century average)
#17. Yuma County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 52.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #15 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.6 F (0.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 67.8 F (3.9 F above century average)
- #15 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.6 F (0.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 67.8 F (3.9 F above century average)
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#16. Kit Carson County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 52.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #12 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.3 F (0.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 68.3 F (4.6 F above century average)
- #12 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.3 F (0.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 68.3 F (4.6 F above century average)
#15. Alamosa County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 44.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 27.7 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.8 F (3.1 F above century average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 27.7 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.8 F (3.1 F above century average)
#14. Delta County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 47.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #16 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.8 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.5 F (2.9 F above century average)
- #16 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.8 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.5 F (2.9 F above century average)
#13. La Plata County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 46.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.6 F (2.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59.6 F (2.5 F above century average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.6 F (2.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59.6 F (2.5 F above century average)
#12. Montezuma County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 50 degrees Fahrenheit (2.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.2 F (2.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63.9 F (2.7 F above century average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.2 F (2.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63.9 F (2.7 F above century average)
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#11. Morgan County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 50.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #14 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.4 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 66.9 F (4.1 F above century average)
- #14 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.4 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 66.9 F (4.1 F above century average)
#10. Phillips County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 51.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35.8 F (1.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 67.4 F (4.2 F above century average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35.8 F (1.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 67.4 F (4.2 F above century average)
#9. San Miguel County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 45.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #14 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.4 F (2.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59.4 F (2.7 F above century average)
- #14 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.4 F (2.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59.4 F (2.7 F above century average)
#8. Mesa County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #15 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.9 F (2.9 F above century average)
- #15 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.9 F (2.9 F above century average)
#7. Mineral County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 38.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 25.4 F (3.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 51 F (2.5 F above century average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 25.4 F (3.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 51 F (2.5 F above century average)
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#6. Dolores County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 44.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 31.2 F (2.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.1 F (3.2 F above century average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 31.2 F (2.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.1 F (3.2 F above century average)
#5. San Juan County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 36.3 degrees Fahrenheit (3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 25 F (3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 47.6 F (3 F above century average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 25 F (3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 47.6 F (3 F above century average)
#4. Hinsdale County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 37.3 degrees Fahrenheit (3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 25.2 F (3.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 49.4 F (2.7 F above century average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 25.2 F (3.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 49.4 F (2.7 F above century average)
#3. Montrose County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.6 degrees Fahrenheit (3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #15 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35.5 F (3.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61.8 F (2.7 F above century average)
- #15 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35.5 F (3.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61.8 F (2.7 F above century average)
#2. Rio Grande County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 41.6 degrees Fahrenheit (3.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 26.8 F (2.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 56.3 F (3.4 F above century average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 26.8 F (2.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 56.3 F (3.4 F above century average)
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#1. Ouray County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 42.8 degrees Fahrenheit (3.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #12 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 29.4 F (3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 56.2 F (3.3 F above century average)
- #12 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 29.4 F (3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 56.2 F (3.3 F above century average)
