The 10 Hottest Temperatures in Denver, Colorado

Many people might not consider Denver, Colorado as having very hot weather, considering it is known as the Mile City at an elevation of 5,280 feet (1,600 km) above sea level. Denver is halfway between the Great Plains to the east and the Rocky Mountains to the west. At one time, the Great Plains were shown on maps in the 1800s as “The Great American Desert”, and yes it can get hot in Denver.

As they say in some parts of the country, yes it is hot, but it is a dry heat, and this saying is very true in Denver. 

 

During hot summer days, when the temperature is in the 90s or higher, the relative humidity ranges from 3% to 12%. Because the humidity is so low, the heat index or the feels like temperature is usually lower than the actual air temperature.

 

 For example, if the air temperature is 95°, the heat index is around 91°.

Denver Official Weather Recording Sites and Hot Temperatures

The official high and low temperatures in Denver are taken at Denver International Airport (DIA), which is about 18 miles from downtown Denver, so the temperature records are not always in line with the past. 

Temperatures at DIA can be much colder in the winter than the city. During a cold spell in 2014, the official low at DIA was -19° F, and at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science in central Denver, the low was only -8° F.

During the summer, the temperature at DIA can be warmer than at the previous recording site at Stapleton International Airport.

The official temperature records have been recorded in three different locations since 1871. There were two official weather recording sites in Downtown Denver between 1871 and 1950 when the official weather observation site moved to Stapleton Airport. 

When Denver International Airport opened in 1995, the official weather site moved there, 10 miles east of Stapleton. 

 

The 10 hottest temperatures in Denver History

Here is a list of the hottest temperatures in Fahrenheit ever recorded in Denver, Colorado as of June 2018.

105° - August 8, 1878

105° - July 20, 2005

105° - June 25, 2012

105° - June 26, 2012
105° - June 28, 2018

104° - June 26, 1994

104° - July 21, 2005

104° - August 1, 2008

104° - June 23, 2012

103° - July 6, 1973

103° - July 8, 1989

103° - July 16, 2006

103° - August 2, 2008

In addition, Denver has recorded 19 different days of a temperature of 102°, including a stretch of four straight days of 102 degrees from June 27, 1990 to July 1, 1990.

Since 1872, Denver has recorded 92 days of a high temperature of 100 degrees or higher.

The latest in the year Denver has ever reached 100 degrees was on September 2, 2019.

Interestingly, between 1878 and 2004, Denver only hit 105° one time, and in the 21st century, Denver has tied that hot temperature 4 times.

10 Hottest Summers in Denver, Colorado History

Denver’s weather can vary greatly year around, from cooler than average to much hotter than normal. Denver averages 40 days per year of a high temperature of 90° or above. In 2014, Denver only had 23 days of 90° + high temperatures, and just two years before in 2012, Denver had 73 days at 90° or higher.

Here is a list of the years with the most high temperatures of 90° or higher.

Year	Number of Days
2012	73
2000	61
1994	60
2018	59
2002	56
2016	55
2005	54
2013	54
2007	54
2006	54

Interestingly, 9 out of the 10 hottest summers occurred in the 21st century. Is the weather in Denver getting warmer due to climate change, or could the change to Denver International Airport in 1995 where the official temperature is recorded caused this to occur.

The only months in Denver, Colorado to have a high temperature of 100° F or higher, are June, July, and August.

Sam Montana © 2018