How does living at high altitude in Colorado's mountain towns affect you?

How high are Colorado's mountain towns near Denver?

• Golden: 5,673 feet. The foothills start here, at the edge of the Denver metro.
• Evergreen: 7,056 feet. Idaho Springs sits at 7,527 feet and Estes Park at 7,529 feet.
• Conifer: 8,262 feet. Nederland sits at 8,233 feet and Woodland Park at 8,480 feet.
• Breckenridge: 9,735 feet. The highest town in our data set. Winter Park sits at 8,801 feet.
• All of it counts as high altitude. The International Society for Mountain Medicine defines high altitude as 4,900 to 11,500 feet.

Elevations are USGS 3DEP readings at each town's official map point, not the town sign.

What does high altitude do to your body?

• Less oxygen per breath. At 10,000 feet the inspired oxygen pressure is 69% of the sea-level value, per the CDC Yellow Book.
• Altitude sickness is common above 8,000 feet. The CDC reports 25% of Colorado visitors sleeping above 8,000 feet develop acute mountain sickness.
• Symptoms come fast and leave fast. Acute mountain sickness starts 2 to 12 hours after arrival and resolves within 12 to 48 hours without further ascent.
• More UV. The EPA puts the UV increase at 6% per kilometer of elevation. That puts Evergreen 13% and Breckenridge 18% above sea level.

Heart or lung condition. Talk to your doctor before you move up.

How long does it take to adjust to altitude in Colorado?

• First 3 to 5 days. The CDC Yellow Book puts the acute phase of acclimatization in the first 3 to 5 days after ascent.
• Skip alcohol for 48 hours. The CDC advises avoiding alcohol for the first 48 hours at high altitude.
• Stage your move. Golden sits 1,383 feet below Evergreen and 4,062 feet below Breckenridge. A few nights low first is an easy step.
• Wear sunscreen every day. UV runs 13% to 18% above sea level in the mountain towns, per the EPA rate.

How do you cook and bake at high altitude?

• Water boils cooler. Water boils at 203°F at 5,000 feet and 193°F at 10,000 feet, per CSU Extension.
• Simmered food takes longer. Lower boiling temperatures mean longer cooking times for anything boiled or simmered.
• Raise the oven 15 to 25°F. CSU Extension's baking table for 3,500 to 10,000 feet starts there.
• Cut sugar, add liquid, reduce leavening. CSU Extension lists all three adjustments for high-elevation baking.
• Lower the fryer. Drop frying temperature 3°F for every 1,000 feet of elevation.

CSU Extension's High Elevation Food Preparation Guide is the Colorado standard reference.