Early winter · Weather & things to do
Denver in December
This is the coldest month in Denver: highs average 44°F (7°C) and lows 24°F (-5°C), with about 0.7 in (19 mm) of rain or snow.
With a comfort score of 58/100 (12th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 44°F (7°C)
- Avg low
- 24°F (-5°C)
- Rain or snow
- 0.7 in (19 mm)
- Humidity
- 56%
- Cloud cover
- 56%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 12 min
- Comfort score
- 58/100 · Fair
What December feels like
Cool days top out near 44°F (7°C), better for brisk walks than lingering outside.
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 24°F (-5°C), so expect frost and ice.
Precipitation is light, about 0.7 in (19 mm) of rain or snow, and since nights fall well below freezing, what does fall may well be snow.
Only about 9 h 12 min of daylight means early sunsets.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are April & May and September & October.
- Snow becomes likely from December, so check road and trail conditions.
- Shortest days of the year, about 9 h 12 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 79/100 in November to 58/100.
- Our Colorado Rockies route recommends Jun – Sep, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- Insulated jackethighs only 44°F
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 24°F
- Shoes with gripfrost and ice are possible
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Denver in December
Weather can go either way, so the picks below mix open-air spots with indoor backups.
Sam's No. 3
Diner institution since 1927, known for big breakfasts and green chile.
Denver Union Station
Restored 1914 rail hall with bars, shops and a lounge-like Great Hall at the heart of LoDo.
Buckhorn Exchange
Denver's oldest restaurant (1893), packed with taxidermy and serving steaks and game.
Death & Co Denver
Serious cocktail bar inside the Ramble Hotel lobby, a short walk from RiNo's mural streets.
Denver Art Museum
Strong Western American and Indigenous art collections in a jagged titanium-clad Libeskind building.
Nearby in December
- Rocky Mountain NP in December~56 mi · highs 24°F, 1.5 in rain or snow · 11°C (21°F) cooler by day, wetter
- Breckenridge in December~59 mi · highs 23°F, 1.9 in rain or snow · 12°C (21°F) cooler by day, wetter
- Vail in December~73 mi · highs 28°F, 1.9 in rain or snow · 9°C (16°F) cooler by day, wetter
- Aspen in December~105 mi · highs 30°F, 2.0 in rain or snow · 8°C (14°F) cooler by day, wetter
These averages also cover City Park and Downtown Denver & 16th Street.
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~2,095 m to Denver's ~1,597 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Denver in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Denver?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 58/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are April & May and September & October. Expect highs of 44°F (7°C) and 0.7 in (19 mm) of rain or snow. Our Colorado Rockies route recommends Jun – Sep, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Denver in December?
Average highs are 44°F (7°C) and average lows 24°F (-5°C), making it the coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Denver in December?
Not much: about 0.7 in (19 mm) of rain or snow falls across December on average, the 3rd-driest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 17.3 in (440 mm).
What should I pack for Denver in December?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 44°F), hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 24°F), shoes with grip (frost and ice are possible) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
Planning Denver in December?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.