When choosing a city to do business in, or better yet to live, climate conditions have a significant impact on the decision-making process. Colorado’s climate may be considered rocky by some, but we’re going to shine more light on why Colorado climate beats out the other big tech cities. Here’s what it’s like to live in the Front Range of Colorado climate-wise.
Colorado has an incredibly diverse geography and has an intense mix of elevations
...After all, it is the home of the Mile High City, which is actually one of the lower elevation points in the state. In the same day, you can be wearing shorts, take a short drive, then you may need a down jacket to stay cozy. Taking a quick hour drive from Denver at 5280 ft up to Nederland, CO is about 3000 foot gain and could have a 15-degree drop in temperature even on sun-filled days.
**Side note, once you get up there, be sure to make time to grab a wood-fired pizza at Crosscut - it's a local favorite!
An excellent guideline to follow is on days of sunshine, factor in a 5 degrees drop per 1000 feet of elevation gained. On a cloudy or rainy day setting, this measure actually drops to 3.5 degrees per 1000 feet, weird right? Keep in mind these are just averages, so plan ahead by keeping a jacket readily available in the car - even in warmer months. When you are hit with a temperature inversion, whelp, just do a handstand and take a look at the mountains upside down!
We love how adventurous and wild Colorado is, the variety keeps you on your toes and makes you a connoisseur of awesome gear at Wilderness Exchange.
Another thing to note with all these pressure systems, from mid-April through Mid-August expect the unexpected, as hail is a real thing. During this season the warm climate coming in from the plains is greeted with the cool Rocky Mountain air creating a not so favorable storm. For safe measures check the weather before starting the day. Consider parking under a tree when possible, or don't! Live life on the edge...
The mountains can cause the Colorado climate to sway heavily compared to competing cities such as San Francisco, Austin, New York, or even Seattle, but overall it is more pleasant.
Back in 2008, Denver experienced a 76-degree temperature flux in less than a 24 hour time period. This is not considered standard, as the conditions shifted from a high of 58 to a low of -18 degrees. A more common fluctuation is a 30-degree difference from day to night.
Temperatures are more predictable in the Front Range come summer, we consistently have warm dry sunny days. Denver has one of the highest annual average sunshine percentages of almost any tech city at 69%. More so than San Diego, San Francisco, New York, Seattle, and Austin. With more sun-filled days, the Colorado climate encourages happy residents to get outside to experience the miles of paved bike paths. Also, meetings are taken outside with walks through a park. Washington Park (a must see) is one of our favorites and you frequently see people working, living, and laughing. It's no contest compared to San Francisco who has fog-filled days and average highs in the low 60s in summer or Seattle who experiences a yearly average of 152 days of rain. While other big tech cities live in a state of gloominess Colorado’s climate generates positivity and more production even in the winter.
Coloradans prefer being outside, especially to embrace the amazing powder we get in the mountains. The best part is that Denver only gets 53 inches of snow per year that usually melts the next day so it doesn't mess with the commute. But up in the mountains, the ski towns average over 200 inches of snowfall! Many participate in morning or afternoon skiing, heck, taking a day off for fresh powder is considered an unspoken right for many Coloradans. And if the slopes aren’t your thing there’s plenty of other activities like snowshoeing, ice fishing, and even indoor rock climbing. It’s almost impossible to get cabin fever during a Colorado winter.
Elevated moods are promoted in Colorado’s climate, and in turn, this creates a climate of enthusiasm for the work we get to do here.
From biking to work, enjoying one of the many eateries, to being engulfed in music at the Red Rocks Amphitheater, Colorado’s climate is more than just fair weather it empowers a breadth of hobby options that are rarely available in one place. Skiing, hiking, cycling, camping, whatever it is you’re seeking, it’s right out your door. Living next to the mountains can come with challenges but doesn’t beat the priceless views and incredible perks.
If you are looking to relocate to Colorado and are in search of a new job in tech, we want to help. Talk to one of our placement specialists to get started.
Here at BWBacon Group, we know and live what you are experiencing as an employer or job seeker in Denver, Boulder, Dallas, San Francisco, New York City or any of the other cities we work in. We believe great recruiting starts and ends with understanding people.
If you have any questions about living, working or playing any of the areas we serve, please contact us. We are happy to help. Seize the day, every day, that’s what we say!
