What's worse for newcomers.. Elevation or air quality?

[mkwensky]

Air quality is only an issue when there is a wildfire nearby or if the wind blows smoke from a big fire from the west this way. Otherwise it is not noticeably different from other large cities.

Elevation wasn't an issue for me but then I barely notice any difference at Winter Park.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by mkwensky

Air quality is only an issue when there is a wildfire nearby or if the wind blows smoke from a big fire from the west this way. Otherwise it is not noticeably different from other large cities.

Elevation wasn't an issue for me but then I barely notice any difference at Winter Park.

I watched the air quality reports the first summer I was here (2021, I think). It was clear that the main source of pollution was the I-25 corridor in Denver, the main commute corridor and travel, trucking, etc. route. IDK, in the summers there may be occasional inversions that trap that pollution for a few days or a week or two, but other than that, I haven't noticed anything of serious concern.

[ejisme]

I think it comes down to you individually. What is your general health like? Are you fit and exercise regularly? Do you have any underlying health conditions that would be exasperated by either elevation and/or poor air quality?

I live in Idaho at just over 3,000 feet. When we visit our son in Westminster, CO (NW Denver suburb) I don't really notice a significant change from the elevation. I run regularly and have run a few times while visiting. I'm slower, breath harder sooner in a run, but have been able to gut out the distance I've wanted. We went to our nephew's wedding in Estes Park last fall. At the wedding venue I trotted up a flight of stairs to use the bathroom. I was a bit dizzy at the top, noticed my heart beating hard, and my breathing a bit harder than I would expect. Estes Park is a little over 7,500 feet, and I felt it.

If you are young and generally healthy I would expect you'd acclimate to the elevation pretty quickly.

[eddie gein]

Originally Posted by ejisme

I think it comes down to you individually. What is your general health like? Are you fit and exercise regularly? Do you have any underlying health conditions that would be exasperated by either elevation and/or poor air quality?

I live in Idaho at just over 3,000 feet. When we visit our son in Westminster, CO (NW Denver suburb) I don't really notice a significant change from the elevation. I run regularly and have run a few times while visiting. I'm slower, breath harder sooner in a run, but have been able to gut out the distance I've wanted. We went to our nephew's wedding in Estes Park last fall. At the wedding venue I trotted up a flight of stairs to use the bathroom. I was a bit dizzy at the top, noticed my heart beating hard, and my breathing a bit harder than I would expect. Estes Park is a little over 7,500 feet, and I felt it.

If you are young and generally healthy I would expect you'd acclimate to the elevation pretty quickly.

When you go to altitude...

Sometimes you are just fine and don't notice anything...until you start going uphill.

[mkwensky]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

I watched the air quality reports the first summer I was here (2021, I think). It was clear that the main source of pollution was the I-25 corridor in Denver, the main commute corridor and travel, trucking, etc. route. IDK, in the summers there may be occasional inversions that trap that pollution for a few days or a week or two, but other than that, I haven't noticed anything of serious concern.

Unless you're moving from a much smaller metro you'll not likely noticed much difference in air quality. That said Denver ranks in the top 10 in typical urban pollutants. If you're moving from a larger or similar sized city I doubt you'll feel any difference unless there's a fire event.

[Gaylord_Focker]

Altitude. Denver's air quality seems normal to me.