Published on May 31, 2024
This weekend, the City and County of Denver will join cities around the world to recognize Global Heat Action Day on Sunday, June 2. Denver aims to raise awareness about the threat of extreme heat to public health and safety and share resources on how the city is working to help people stay cool and connected.
As carbon pollution has trapped more heat in the atmosphere, heatwaves are getting hotter and longer. The number of record high temperatures are dramatically outpacing record low temperatures, and extreme heat is now the leading cause of weather-related death globally.
According to Climate Central, Denver is experiencing an average of 19 more days of above-average heat annually than the city did 50 years ago. The average summer temperature has increased 3 degrees since 1970 and is expected to continue rising.
Extreme heat events will become increasingly common in Denver due to climate change, which can impact vulnerable populations with multiple risk factors. High temperatures can cause illness, as excessive heat can increase your body’s core temperature. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a heat illness happens when your body is unable to dissipate heat effectively. Those who are at highest risk for heat-related illness include people 65 and older, children younger than two, and people with chronic diseases or mental illness.
In order to keep Denverites cool, connected and safe as we prepare for a hotter and drier climate, here are the programs that Denver is implementing:
Using Denver’s heat vulnerability index to measure which neighborhoods suffer the worst effects of extreme heat in Denver and focusing support resources in those neighborhoods.
Hosting “Heat Summits” through Spring and Summer 2024 with community groups, businesses, other government agencies, first responders and more. The purpose of the Heat Summits is to identify gaps and opportunities and to create new policies and programs to keep Denverites safe in the face of extreme heat.
Providing home energy rebates to help Denverites install heat pumps, which are all-electric appliances that can both cool and heat homes efficiently.
Supporting non-profits and community groups to distribute air conditioning units and air purifiers to Denverites most in need of relief from heat.
Planting trees to expand urban tree canopy across Denver neighborhoods with the lowest tree cover.
Opening recreation centers and libraries as cooling centers when the National Weather Service issues an extreme heat warning.
The Denver Department of Public Health & Environment (DDPHE) also offers these tips to prevent heat-related illness for people and for pets:
Stay inside in air-conditioned buildings as much as possible. Air conditioning is the number one way to protect yourself against heat-related illness. If your home is not air-conditioned, visit one of Denver’s cooling stations.
Drink more water than usual and don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink.
Fans will not prevent heat-related illness in extreme heat; instead, take cool showers or baths to cool down.
Don’t use the stove or oven to cook—it will make you and your house hotter.
Don’t drink alcohol or beverages that contain caffeine.
Limit your outdoor activity, especially during the middle of the day when the sun is hottest.
During periods of extreme heat, check on friends and neighbors to be sure they are safe and remember to never leave children unattended in a hot car.
Leave pets at home and never leave an animal alone in a vehicle, even with the windows down.
Keep walks with pets during peak daytime hours to a minimum.
Be mindful of hot pavement that can burn your pet’s feet. If you can’t hold your bare hand on pavement for 10 seconds, then it’s too hot for your dog to walk on.
If you see a dog in a hot car, immediately call the Denver Animal Protection Dispatch number, 720-913-2080.