United States
UV Index in Colorado — Current UV Levels
Check the current UV index for 4 cities in Colorado. Select a city below for real-time UV data, hourly forecasts, and sun protection advice.
UV Index by City in Colorado
Sun Safety in Colorado
UV levels in Colorado vary by season, altitude, and proximity to water. The WHO recommends sun protection whenever UV reaches 3 or higher. Apply SPF 30+ before outdoor activities and reapply every 2 hours.
UV Index in Colorado: What to Know
Colorado has unusually high UV for its latitude because of its elevation — UV intensity rises about 10–12% per 1,000 m. Denver and the mountain towns see stronger UV than coastal cities at the same latitude.
Across Colorado, the UV index peaks in the four hours around solar noon (roughly noon to 3 PM local time). The World Health Organization recommends sun protection whenever the UV index reaches 3 or higher: apply broad-spectrum SPF 30 at UV 3–5, SPF 50 at UV 6–7, and SPF 50+ with reapplication every two hours at UV 8 and above. Check the live, hour-by-hour UV index for Colorado Springs, Denver and Fort Collins on the city pages above before heading outdoors.
Common Questions About UV in Colorado
When is the UV index highest in Colorado?
UV in Colorado is strongest between noon and 3 PM local time, and highest in the summer months when the sun sits highest in the sky. Check the hourly chart for Colorado Springs above to see today's exact peak.
Do I need sunscreen in Colorado?
Yes — whenever the UV index reaches 3 or higher, which in Colorado covers most of the daytime hours from spring through fall. Even on cloudy days, up to 80% of UV can reach the ground.
How accurate is this UV data for Colorado?
Our UV index for Colorado comes from Open-Meteo, which aggregates national weather-service models, and updates every 15 minutes. Levels follow the official WHO global solar UV index scale.