Month guide · Denver · United States
Denver in January
What January is really like in Denver: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Trueshow111, CC0
Quick answer
January is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 6°C (43°F), lows of -8°C (18°F), about 5 rainy days and roughly 9.6 hours of daylight. Cold but often sunny; snow comes in short bursts and usually melts in days. Prime ski season in the mountains.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 6°C (43°F) / -8°C (18°F)
- Rainy days
- About 5
- Daylight
- About 9.6 hours
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in January
January is the 11th-warmest month in Denver: days average 6°C (43°F) against a yearly average high of 18°C (64°F), and nights fall to about -8°C (18°F). Rain falls on roughly 5 of its 31 days. Compared with December (6°C (43°F)), January is about as warm; by February highs stay near 7°C (45°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 07:19
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 16:59
- Daylight
- About 9.6 hours
Winter (December–February). Cold but often sunny in the city, with snow that rarely lasts; prime ski season in the mountains.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, January rates 2 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in July). That makes January one of the better-value months to book.
Events in January
- National Western Stock Show and Rodeo (usually January)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in January
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Museum · Golden Triangle
Denver Art Museum
Start with the Western American art and Indigenous arts galleries, which are the museum's specialities.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Art
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Museum · City Park
Denver Museum of Nature & Science
A large natural-history and science museum in City Park with dinosaur fossils, wildlife dioramas, gems and minerals, an Egyptian mummies gallery, a planetarium and an IMAX theatre.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Views
- History
Gallery · Golden Triangle
Clyfford Still Museum
It is small enough for an hour; combine it with the Denver Art Museum next door.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Rainy day
- Architecture
- Off the beaten path
Museum · Golden Triangle
History Colorado Center
The state history museum covers Colorado's people from Indigenous nations to mining towns and ski resorts, with interactive exhibits and a simulated ski jump.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Kids
- Rainy day
What to pack
For highs near 6°C, lows near -8°C and 5 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; comfortable walking shoes.
Is January a good time to visit Denver?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, June–September are better overall. Compare every month.
Denver in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is January a good time to visit Denver?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Cold but often sunny; snow comes in short bursts and usually melts in days. Prime ski season in the mountains.
+How warm is Denver in January?
Average highs are around 6°C (43°F) and lows around -8°C (18°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Denver in January?
Expect rain on about 5 days of the month.