With summer in full swing and UV Safety Awareness Month in focus, experts are urging Coloradans to take sun protection seriously — especially at high altitudes, where UV rays hit harder and faster than you might expect.

Colorado’s elevation turns up the UV dial

It’s not your imagination — you really do burn faster in Colorado. And there’s a science-backed reason why.

At sea level, the Earth’s atmosphere offers a thick protective blanket against ultraviolet (UV) radiation. But up in the Mile High state? That blanket’s a bit thinner. In fact, nearly half of the atmospheric mass sits below you when you’re in places like Denver or Grand Junction. That means UV rays have less to fight through on their way to your skin.

“Basically, the higher up you go, the more intense the UV radiation becomes,” said a spokesperson with the National Weather Service. “In Colorado, you’re closer to the sun, so to speak.”

Add in clear skies and dry air — both common in the state — and you’ve got a recipe for quick sunburn.

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Understanding the UV Index isn’t just for science nerds

The UV Index might seem like one of those weather stats that only matters for meteorologists. But ignore it, and your skin could pay the price.

The scale runs from 1 to 11+, and each jump in number significantly decreases the time it takes for skin damage to occur. Here’s a quick breakdown:

• 1–2: Low risk, burn time over an hour

• 3–5: Moderate risk, burn time around 45 minutes

• 6–7: High risk, burn time about 30 minutes

• 8–10: Very high risk, burn time roughly 20 minutes

• 11+: Extreme risk, burn time can drop to just 10–15 minutes

In Colorado, readings in the 8–10 range aren’t uncommon in July. On particularly clear days, 11+ isn’t out of the question — and that’s when things get serious.

What does that mean for you? You might not even finish your morning coffee on the porch before your skin starts to burn.

Ozone helps — but it’s not a guarantee

The stratosphere holds our best line of defense against UV radiation: the ozone layer. This invisible gas absorbs a large chunk of harmful rays, protecting life on Earth like an unseen guardian.

But ozone isn’t invincible. It fluctuates with the seasons, latitude, and pollution levels. And while Colorado’s ozone layer does its best, it can’t catch everything — especially when UV levels are already cranked up by altitude.

Clouds help a bit, too. Thick ones can cut UV exposure by up to 70%, but partial cloud cover sometimes makes things worse by reflecting sunlight down, increasing total exposure.

Bottom line? Just because it’s a little cloudy doesn’t mean you’re safe.

The risks go far beyond just a nasty sunburn

A little redness after a hike might not seem like a big deal. But UV radiation isn’t just about discomfort — it carries long-term consequences.

Repeated exposure, especially burns, can lead to:

• Early signs of aging like wrinkles and sun spots

• Weakened immune response in the skin

• Increased risk of cataracts and eye damage

• The big one: skin cancer

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S. According to the CDC, Colorado consistently ranks among the top 10 states for incidence of melanoma — the deadliest form.

That’s not fear-mongering. That’s math.

Staying safe doesn’t mean hiding indoors all summer

Look, nobody’s saying you should stay locked up all summer. Colorado is famous for its sunshine — and people live here because of the outdoors. But staying sun-smart doesn’t require a science degree.

Three easy ways to keep your skin in check:

• Sunscreen: SPF 30 or higher. Reapply every 2 hours. More often if you’re sweating or swimming.

• Cover up: Hats, sunglasses, and long sleeves are your friends — especially midday.

• Time it right: UV is strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Try to limit your exposure during those hours.

Don’t forget your lips either. Lip balm with SPF matters more than you think.

The sunscreen myths that just won’t die

Despite the mountains of data, there’s still a ton of confusion out there about sunscreen. Let’s clear a few things up.

First off, SPF 100 doesn’t mean you’re invincible. The jump from SPF 50 to 100 is tiny in terms of added protection. More important is how much and how often you apply.

And no — getting a base tan at the start of summer doesn’t “protect” you. That’s just early-stage damage. Also, yes, people with darker skin can and do get skin cancer. The risk may be lower, but it’s real.

Finally, your car windows block UVB but not UVA. Translation? You can still get sun-damaged skin sitting in traffic.

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Why awareness still matters in 2025

So here we are in another UV Safety Awareness Month. You might be thinking — don’t we already know all this?

Apparently not. Despite decades of campaigns and warnings, doctors still see the same problems every summer. Parents forget sunscreen for their kids. Teens skip it entirely. People assume cloudy days are safe.

And in high-elevation places like Colorado, the margin for error is thinner than the air.

If you’ve lived here long enough, you probably already have that “one bad burn” story. Maybe it was a ski day in spring when you forgot SPF. Maybe it was a hike near Crested Butte that turned you into a lobster. Either way, most of us learn the hard way.

Let’s try something new this year: learning the easy way.