Thanksgiving in Colorado usually brings a mix of crisp air, mild afternoons, and sometimes, a shot at snow. Most years, you’ll see daytime highs in the upper 40s or low 50s, with overnight lows dropping into the 20s.
That sounds pretty steady, but honestly, the holiday swings wildly between sunny warmth and bitter cold.
One year, you might relax under clear skies, and the next you’re bracing against icy winds or snow. Denver has hit the 70s on Thanksgiving, but some years have dipped below zero with snow on the ground.
The Front Range, mountains, and southern plains each have their own quirks, so planning travel or outdoor traditions turns into a bit of a gamble.
If you know these patterns, you can prepare for more than just the feast. Whether you’re driving across Colorado, hiking before dinner, or sticking to outdoor family traditions, it helps to get a sense of Colorado’s Thanksgiving weather history.
You’ll probably get a clear picture of what’s likely, but surprises can always show up.
Typical Thanksgiving Weather in Colorado
Thanksgiving weather in Colorado swings a lot, both in temperature and conditions. Some years, you get sunny, mild afternoons, while others bring on cold and snow, depending on your spot in the state.
Average Temperatures Across Major Cities
In Denver, Thanksgiving usually brings an average high of 49°F, and lows around 24°F. Records show highs in the low 70s on warm years, but the coldest Thanksgiving dropped to -18°F in 1877.
Colorado Springs usually sees highs in the upper 40s and lows in the 20s. Pueblo’s a bit warmer, often reaching the low 50s.
Boulder’s Thanksgivings swing from almost 70°F on mild years to below zero during cold snaps.
These numbers show how quickly things can change. You might need just a light jacket in Pueblo, while Denver or Boulder could be much colder with icy mornings.
If you’re traveling between cities, packing layers makes the most sense.
Precipitation and Snowfall Patterns
Moisture around Thanksgiving doesn’t show up much in most of Colorado. In Denver, measurable precipitation has happened less than 20% of the time.
The wettest Thanksgiving only brought about half an inch of rain back in 1928.
Snow’s a bigger wildcard. Denver’s snowiest Thanksgiving was also in 1928, with 8.5 inches falling.
Some years bring several inches, but honestly, most Thanksgivings pass with no snow at all. Colorado Springs and Pueblo usually see little to none, though a light dusting can happen.
When snow falls, travel gets dicey fast, especially on mountain passes. Even a little can make for slick roads in the morning, so if you’re crossing higher elevations, get ready for winter driving.
Daylight and Wind Conditions
By late November, daylight feels limited. You’ll get about 9.5 to 10 hours of usable light, and sunset often sneaks in before 5:00 p.m.
Short days can make travel feel rushed, so it helps to plan activities earlier.
Winds usually stay light to moderate on the plains, but they can pick up near the foothills. Cold fronts might bring gusts, adding to the chill.
In the mountains, winds get stronger and more unpredictable, especially near ridgelines or canyons.
Some days stay calm, but a breezy afternoon can make it feel colder than the thermometer says. If you’re outside, wind protection is a good idea.
Regional Variations in Thanksgiving Weather
Thanksgiving weather in Colorado really depends on where you are. Elevation, geography, and local climate all play a role.
Front Range and Denver Metro
Denver and the Front Range usually see cool days with highs in the 40s or low 50s. Nights dip into the 20s.
Snow can happen, but it’s not the norm—measurable snowfall shows up about one in five holidays.
Records show big swings. The warmest Denver Thanksgiving hit the low 70s, while the coldest dropped below zero. Snowfall extremes range from nothing to over 8 inches in a day.
If you’re outside, expect mostly dry weather, but you should still prep for sudden changes. Cold fronts can show up fast.
Light jackets work for the day, but you’ll want heavier layers at night.
Mountain Areas and Ski Resorts
Up in the mountains, Thanksgiving almost always feels wintry. Daytime highs in ski towns usually stick in the 20s or 30s, and overnight lows drop well below freezing.
Snow cover is common, especially above 8,000 feet.
Ski resorts rely on early storms and snowmaking by late November. Some years, fresh powder arrives right on time, but other seasons start with limited terrain.
Travel in the mountains gets tricky. You’ll face snow-packed roads, icy passes, and low visibility.
If you’re driving to a resort, keep chains or winter tires handy. Conditions can change fast as you climb.
Eastern Plains and Southern Colorado
The eastern plains and southern Colorado usually run milder than the mountains, but still cooler than Denver. Highs often land in the upper 40s to low 50s, with colder nights near freezing.
Snow’s less frequent out here, but the wind can make it feel colder. Pueblo has seen Thanksgiving highs in the 70s, but some years barely scrape the 40s.
Colorado Springs often mirrors Denver, just with a bit more wind.
If you’re planning outdoor activities, you’ll probably get dry weather. Still, keep an eye out for strong gusts and quick temperature drops, especially late in the day.
Historical Thanksgiving Weather Extremes
Colorado’s Thanksgivings have seen it all—warm afternoons, bitterly cold mornings, and snowstorms that turn holiday travel into a headache.
Warmest Thanksgiving Days on Record
Sometimes, Thanksgiving in Colorado feels weirdly spring-like. Denver’s warmest Thanksgiving hit 73°F in 1909, with other years like 1901, 1998, and 2017 also making it into the low 70s.
Colorado Springs has had its moments too, with 70°F in 2011. Pueblo tends to run even warmer, and in 2017 it hit 76°F, which is wild for late November.
These warm days don’t happen every year, but they’re not unicorns either. Plenty of Thanksgivings have reached the upper 60s or low 70s.
If you’re planning outdoor plans or travel, you might luck out with weather that feels more like early fall.
| Location | Warmest High | Year(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Denver | 73°F | 1909 |
| Colorado Springs | 70°F | 2011 |
| Pueblo | 76°F | 2017 |
Coldest Thanksgiving Days on Record
The cold extremes are just as memorable. Denver’s coldest Thanksgiving dropped to -18°F in 1877. Other rough years include -5°F in 1919, 1952, and 1993.
Sometimes, highs barely made it out of the teens.
Colorado Springs and Boulder have had their share of frigid holidays, too. Boulder reported -7°F in 2010, and Colorado Springs has dipped into the single digits more than once.
Strong Arctic fronts usually bring these cold snaps. If you traveled during one of those years, you’d face icy roads and a real need for heavy winter gear.
These extremes show that Thanksgiving in Colorado sometimes feels a lot more like January.
| Location | Coldest Low | Year(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Denver | -18°F | 1877 |
| Boulder | -7°F | 2010 |
| Denver | -5°F | 1919, 1952, 1993 |
Snowiest Thanksgiving Days on Record
Snowfall has shaped a lot of Thanksgiving memories. Denver’s snowiest Thanksgiving came in 1928 with 8.5 inches, which made travel a nightmare.
That same year also set the record for wettest holiday with nearly half an inch of precipitation.
Other snowy years include 1987 with 5 inches and 1958 with nearly 5 inches. More recently, in 2015, Denver saw 1 inch of snow on Thanksgiving.
Boulder and the Front Range foothills often pick up more snow than Denver. Some years, totals have topped 6 inches, which looks great but makes roads slick.
| Location | Snowfall Total | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Denver | 8.5″ | 1928 |
| Denver | 5.0″ | 1987 |
| Denver | 4.8″ | 1958 |
| Denver | 1.0″ | 2015 |
Snowy Thanksgivings don’t happen as often as dry ones, but when they do, they leave a mark on travel and family gatherings.
Thanksgiving Weather Trends Over Time
Look at Colorado’s Thanksgiving weather, and you’ll see steady averages, but the year-to-year swings can be wild. The historical record shows both warm, dry holidays and bitterly cold, snowy ones.
Changes in Average Temperatures
Most years, you’ll get highs in the upper 40s and lows in the 20s across Colorado. Denver’s long-term Thanksgiving averages sit around 49°F for the high and 24°F for the low.
But the extremes really stand out. Denver hit 73°F in 1909, and the coldest low was -18°F in 1877. Boulder’s dropped as low as -7°F, with single-digit highs—not exactly cozy.
In recent decades, more Thanksgivings have brought mild afternoons. Denver hit the low 70s in both 1998 and 2017.
These warmer days really contrast with earlier records that leaned cold.
If you’re planning outdoor activities or travel, you should be ready for sudden swings—sometimes it’s unseasonably warm, other times dangerously cold.
Trends in Snowfall and Precipitation
Thanksgiving snow in Colorado doesn’t happen as often as people think. In Denver, the chance of measurable precipitation sits at about 18%, and most years stay dry.
Denver’s snowiest Thanksgiving brought 8.5 inches in 1928. Other big years include 1958 with nearly 5 inches and 1987 with 5 inches. Still, a lot of years see zero snow, so white Thanksgivings are the exception.
Light snow or flurries show up more often than big storms. The last time Denver saw measurable Thanksgiving snow was 2015, with 1 inch.
Rain is even rarer. The wettest Thanksgiving only brought less than half an inch. So, your travel plans will probably get tripped up by cold and wind more than heavy snow or rain.
What to Expect for Thanksgiving Travel in Colorado
Thanksgiving travel in Colorado means crowded roads, busy airports, and sometimes, winter storms in the mountains that can mess with your plans.
Typical Road and Air Travel Conditions
Highways like I-25 and I-70 see the most holiday traffic. I-70 through the mountains can slow to a crawl if snow hits, since steep grades and few passing lanes create bottlenecks.
Even a little snow makes mountain passes like Vail Pass and Berthoud Pass slick.
Air travel gets hectic too. Denver International Airport (DIA) ranks among the busiest in the country for Thanksgiving week.
Expect security lines, baggage delays, and packed terminals. If snow falls in the high country, flight schedules get even more tangled.
On the plains and in cities like Denver and Colorado Springs, you’ll usually face wet roads instead of icy ones unless a strong cold front blows in.
Still, traffic congestion stretches your drive longer than usual.
Weather-Related Travel Tips
Give yourself some extra time if you’re driving through the mountains. Check out the National Weather Service advisories often, since winter weather warnings pop up a lot above 10,000 feet.
Storms on I-70 can trigger Colorado’s traction laws, so you might need chains or snow-rated tires.
Pack the basics: water, snacks, blankets, and maybe a small shovel, just in case you get stuck somewhere. If you’re flying, pull up your airline’s app for updates—Denver’s weather or a sudden shift in the Rockies can delay flights, even if everything looks fine when you leave.
Try leaving a day earlier or later than everyone else for a less stressful trip. Mid-morning or early afternoon departures usually dodge the worst of the traffic.
If you keep your schedule flexible, you’re more likely to skip the worst weather and congestion.
Tips for Enjoying Thanksgiving in Colorado’s Climate
Late November in Colorado is a bit unpredictable—sometimes you’ll get a mild afternoon, and other times you’ll wake up to a freezing morning. It helps to plan holiday activities that work with the season, and honestly, you should just be ready for the weather to flip on you.
Outdoor Activities and Events
Thanksgiving week usually brings weather that’s cool, but not unbearable if you want to get outside. In Denver, highs hover in the upper 40s, but you might see a random 60-degree day, or it could dip into the 20s.
Some years, you can squeeze in a short hike along the Front Range. Trails tend to stay open, but you’ll want to watch for icy patches.
Families in Colorado Springs or Boulder sometimes head to parks for a walk or a bike ride when there isn’t much snow. Ski resorts in the mountains usually open by late November, though the snow isn’t always great.
If you’d rather stay in town, you’ll find holiday markets and light displays starting up around Thanksgiving. Most of these are outdoors, so dressing in layers is smart.
Evenings can turn chilly fast, and a little breeze makes it feel colder, especially once the sun goes down and temps drop below freezing.
Packing and Preparation Advice
Packing the right clothing really makes a difference. Daytime usually feels mild, but mornings and evenings can drop below freezing.
Bring layers like a base shirt, a medium-weight sweater, and a windproof jacket. Toss in a warm hat and gloves—even if you’re just sticking around town, you’ll probably want them.
Footwear is important, too. Sidewalks and trails get wet or icy, so go for shoes with good grip. If you plan to head into the mountains, pick waterproof boots, just to be safe.
Weather changes fast up here. Snow doesn’t fall every year, but it happens. Keep an ice scraper, a blanket, and some water in your car, just in case.
If you’re flying, stash your heavier outerwear in a carry-on you can grab quickly, so you’re not caught off guard when you land.