Mid-winter · Weather & things to do
Denver in January
Denver sees its driest month, with just 0.7 in (17 mm) of rain or snow, highs of 45°F (7°C) and lows of 24°F (-4°C).
Its comfort score of 60/100 is still Good, though it ranks 11th of 12 here.
- Avg high
- 45°F (7°C)
- Avg low
- 24°F (-4°C)
- Rain or snow
- 0.7 in (17 mm)
- Humidity
- 55%
- Cloud cover
- 56%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 29 min
- Comfort score
- 60/100 · Good
What January feels like
It's cool, with highs near 45°F (7°C), so a proper jacket stays on most of the day.
Average lows of 24°F (-4°C) mean frosty nights and icy mornings.
Precipitation is light, about 0.7 in (17 mm) of rain or snow, and since nights fall well below freezing, what does fall may well be snow.
Daylight is short, roughly 9 h 29 min mid-month, so start sightseeing early.
Plan around January
January is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are April & May and September & October.
- Comfort holds steady from December (58 → 60/100).
- Our Colorado Rockies route recommends Jun – Sep, so January falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for January
- Insulated jackethighs only 45°F
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 24°F
- Shoes with gripfrost and ice are possible
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Denver in January
January is good outdoor weather here, so these picks lean toward the open air.
Larimer Square
Denver's oldest block, lined with Victorian buildings, string lights, shops and restaurants.
Why now January scores 60/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Death & Co Denver
Serious cocktail bar inside the Ramble Hotel lobby, a short walk from RiNo's mural streets.
Why now Highs near 45°F and 0.7 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Denver Union Station
Restored 1914 rail hall with bars, shops and a lounge-like Great Hall at the heart of LoDo.
Denver Central Market
Food hall in a restored RiNo warehouse with pizza, tacos, pastries and a central bar.
Denver Art Museum
Strong Western American and Indigenous art collections in a jagged titanium-clad Libeskind building.
Nearby in January
- Rocky Mountain NP in January~56 mi · highs 24°F, 1.3 in rain or snow · 12°C (21°F) cooler by day, wetter
- Breckenridge in January~59 mi · highs 23°F, 1.9 in rain or snow · 12°C (22°F) cooler by day, wetter
- Vail in January~73 mi · highs 28°F, 1.9 in rain or snow · 10°C (17°F) cooler by day, wetter
- Aspen in January~105 mi · highs 30°F, 1.9 in rain or snow · 9°C (15°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 January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Denver?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 60/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are April & May and September & October. Expect highs of 45°F (7°C) and 0.7 in (17 mm) of rain or snow. Our Colorado Rockies route recommends Jun – Sep, so January is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Denver in January?
Average highs are 45°F (7°C) and average lows 24°F (-4°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Denver in January?
Not much: about 0.7 in (17 mm) of rain or snow falls across January on average, the 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 January?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 45°F), hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 24°F), shoes with grip (frost and ice are possible) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
Planning Denver in January?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.