Colorado Experts-- Are there any places with cool summers but low elevation? (Durango: how much, live)

[TCHP]

Originally Posted by DrDog

Agree with coastal Oregon- Astoria.

Btw, where is colorado low in elevation?

Where the Arickaree River for into KS near the NE panhandle at 3,315. Yuma County also has the lowest automotive access point in the state according to CDOT at 3,337. For years, many thought the Arkansas River entry into KS at 3,350 was the lowest point. Regardless, these low points all constitute the highest low points any any of the 50 states.

[coschristi]

About the closest you would find is Canon City; it is in a unique spot as far as geography & weather are concerned but it’s at 5,300 ft (which is low for Colorado). It’s nicknamed “The Climate Capital of Colorado”:

Canon City, CO -- What's It Like There

[DOUBLE H]

Originally Posted by DrDog

Agree with coastal Oregon- Astoria.

Btw, where is Colorado low in elevation?

At 3392 ft., Holly is about the lowest you can go for elevation. But the OP wants cooler weather, and it's a fact that most of SE Colorado hits 100 degrees during the summer lots of times. Holly is about a half hours drive east of Lamar on U.S. hwy. 50.


In the San Luis Valley towns of Alamosa and Del Norte, it will cool off to 50 degrees at night during the summer but the elevation is 7500 ft. or so.

[StarrySkiesAbove]

Originally Posted by coschristi

About the closest you would find is Canon City; it is in a unique spot as far as geography & weather are concerned but it’s at 5,300 ft (which is low for Colorado). It’s nicknamed “The Climate Capital of Colorado”:

Canon City, CO -- What's It Like There

Cañon City has a long lovely fall and fairly mild dry winters but definitely won’t find cool summers. It’s not quite as hot as Pueblo but hotter than Colorado Springs, but I guess that all depends on what the OP’s definition of cool summers is; everyone’s heat tolerance is different.

[pikabike]

Are you searching for a summer vaca area or a relocation?

Western WA and OR would fit the cool summer part, and that is their dry season. If this is for a relocation, the damp gray winters should be factored in.

[WestGuest]

Canon City avg summer highs are around 87-- no thanks.

[pikabike]

Originally Posted by WestGuest

Canon City avg summer highs are around 87-- no thanks.

You really are looking at the wrong region to have cool summers at lower elevations.

West coast is your best bet.

[DOUBLE H]

Originally Posted by pikabike

You really are looking at the wrong region to have cool summers at lower elevations.

West coast is your best bet.

Or possibly northwest Montana. One of my neighbors has moved to Kalispell and really likes the area. It's just a tad under 3000 ft. in elevation, the highs in the summer are in the low 80's with lows in the low to mid 50's. It's around 20,000 in population. Granted, it's a ways from a city of 50,000 people (Missoula comes to mind) but there are at least a dozen small towns from Kalispell to Missoula. Southwest of there would be the Bitterroot Mountain Range. Actually 20,000 would suit me fine.

I've thought about that area more than a time or two over the years. It was only a couple years since I took a 5 day trip to Montana but it was not in the NW corner. What is a notable tourist spot up there is Glacier National Park, about a half hours drive northeast of Kalispell. I'd love to see that place!

Just a thought.

[pikabike]

Hmm, I was in that area one August when temps were in the high 90s for a week, with a few hotter days. The hottest temp I experienced was 107 deg in Glacier NP. As shown there on their thermometer.

Basically, inland = colder lows and hotter highs, all else being equal. In maritime areas the sea moderates temperature changes.

Going to higher altitude lowers the highs but then winters would be colder also.

[davebarnes]

Yes.
Inside an abandoned coal mine in Prowers County.