Daytime Cooling Centers

Cooling Center Activation

The city opens cooling centers when the local National Weather Service (NWS) office, located in Boulder, CO, issues a heat advisory for the Denver metro region. NWS issues a heat advisory based on the heat risk to the health of people living in the area. Heat advisories are data-driven, and health-focused.

The following factors are considered when a heat advisory is issued for the Denver area:

  • How unusual the heat is for the time of the year
  • The duration of the heat including both daytime and nighttime temperatures
  • Other weather considerations, like cloud cover and incoming cold fronts
  • If the temperatures pose an elevated risk of heat-related health impacts based on data from the CDC

A heat advisory can be issued days in advance, but because of changing weather forecasts, however, most heat advisories are typically announced a day or two before the expected high heat day.

Cooling Center Locations

When a Heat Advisory is issued, Denver Parks and Recreation opens currently operating rec centers during normal business hours to visitors/guests who are seeking relief from the heat. Denver Public Library branches are also open to the public during normal business hours. City facilities would never turn away anyway who is looking for a place to get cool.

Find a Rec Center   Find a Library

Back to top