Why is the air thinner in Colorado? (2023)

Why is the air so thin in Colorado?

It's not that there's less oxygen in the air around you, it's that the molecules are more spread out. Colorado Springs is about 6,000 feet above sea level. At that altitude, you are breathing in around 21 percent less oxygen than you would at sea level.

The first reason is gravity. Earth's gravity pulls air as close to the surface as possible. The second reason is density. As altitude increases, the amount of gas molecules in the air decreases—the air becomes less dense than air nearer to sea level.

Atmospheric pressure and inspired oxygen pressure fall roughly linearly with altitude to be 50% of the sea level value at 5500 m and only 30% of the sea level value at 8900 m (the height of the summit of Everest).

In the NYC metro area as well as Denver, both locales contain roughly 21% oxygen in the atmosphere. However, the higher you go in altitude the less the barometric pressure, which is to say air pressure decreases as elevation increases.

Altitude is real.

Altitude sickness causes headaches, nausea, fatigue, and a general feeling of “Holy crap, why do I feel hungover?” So maybe let's hold off on climbing Mt. Elbert until you've acclimatized for a day or two.

In Colorado, these early symptoms of altitude sickness are usually all that occurs. More serious symptoms, such as mental confusion, trouble walking, and chronic shortness of breath, tend to occur only at even higher elevations. Yet, these early symptoms can quickly ruin a vacation.

The low amount of oxygen in the air at high altitudes causes high-altitude illness. The amount of oxygen in the air goes down as you climb higher above sea level and becomes very low at altitudes above 8,000 feet. If you travel to a high altitude, you may feel ill because the air has less oxygen in it.

The initial euphoria is a result of increased dopamine, the neurotransmitter contributing to feelings of pleasure, when entering high altitude. Dopamine is a short-burning fire, and then it's gone, Goodwin explained.

Death zone

It refers to altitudes above a certain point where the amount of oxygen is insufficient to sustain human life for an extended time span. This point is generally tagged as 8,000 m (26,000 ft, less than 356 millibars of atmospheric pressure).

Results of a four-year study by researchers at the University of Colorado suggest that living at altitudes around 5,000 feet (Denver is 5,280 feet above see level) or higher might increase lifespan.

Is it easier to breathe at high or low altitude?

The air at higher altitudes is colder, less dense, and contains fewer oxygen molecules. This means that you need to take more breaths in order to get the same amount of oxygen as you would at lower altitudes. The higher the elevation, the more difficult breathing becomes.

Denver is situated at a high altitude of 5,280 feet (one mile high) above sea level. Visitors from lower elevations often underestimate the effects of altitude on their health and physical abilities. With high altitude living, the body gradually acclimates to the lower air pressure and decreased oxygen.

Denver's air quality is primarily challenged by ozone pollution formed from precursor pollutants emitted by motor vehicles (mobile sources) and the oil and gas industry (stationary sources). Studies have shown that these two sources play an almost equal role in polluting Denver's air.

The cabin air pressure in an airplane is adjusted to compensate for these high altitudes. The oxygen level is comparable to levels found in elevations of 5,000 to 9,000 feet. Both men and women can get altitude sickness. Age, general health, and physical condition do not affect your chances for altitude sickness.

It's actually because there's less pressure at high altitudes, making it harder to get enough oxygen if you're not accustomed to the lower atmospheric pressure.

According to recent figures from Mental Health America, the state ranks last in the nation in access to care compared to prevalence of adult mental illness. It does slightly better when it comes to youth.

DRINK WATER

Before your trip to Denver, and while you are here, drinking plenty of water is the number one way to help your body adjust easily to our higher altitude. The low humidity in Colorado keeps the air dry, like the desert, so you need about twice as much water here as you would drink at home.

As you move up to a higher elevation, the oxygen levels reduce and this causes breathing troubles. This is because your body tries hard to restore normal oxygen levels. This may lead to disruptive sleep and erratic sleep patterns.

If possible, spend a few days at 8,000–9,000 feet before traveling to a higher elevation. This gives your body time to adjust to the lower oxygen levels. Once you are above an elevation of 9,000 feet, increase where you will sleep by no more than 1,600 feet per day.

Is high altitude good for lungs?

The simple answer is yes. The lower the altitude, the richer the mix of oxygen in the air. A move from a high altitude to a significantly lower altitude will very likely lessen your need for an oxygen tank to deal with COPD. On the basis of your need for oxygen, it makes sense to move.

Mountain air contains fewer toxins such as fine particles and allergens. Another advantage is that thin air can pass smoothly through the narrow, inflamed pathways in the lungs. If, however, the lungs are severely damaged and unable to expand, people should stay at lower altitudes.

Symptoms of altitude sickness

Honigman said it takes about 24 to 36 hours to acclimate. People with persistent headaches, loss of appetite, vomiting and continued lack of sleep by the second night should seek medical attention.

High altitude sickness and IBS

When you say altitude sickness, most people – including me – think of headache, shortness of breath, maybe some nausea or vomiting. I learned, though, that high altitude can also aggravate diarrhea or constipation, and cause “intestinal gas” – i.e., bloating and increased farts.

For most people this causes few problems, but for those with lung or heart disease, altitude can have a negative effect on health. Acute exposure to high altitude can affect the cardiovascular system by decreasing oxygen in the blood (acute hypoxia).

Travelers with medical conditions such as heart failure, myocardial ischemia (angina), sickle cell disease, any form of pulmonary insufficiency or preexisting hypoxemia, or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) should consult a physician familiar with high-altitude medical issues before undertaking such travel (Table 3-05).

A thinner atmosphere would ordinarily mean an overall colder Earth, the researchers said, because gases trap heat, and more gas traps more heat.

The basic answer is that the farther away you get from the earth, the thinner the atmosphere gets. The total heat content of a system is directly related to the amount of matter present, so it is cooler at higher elevations. The heating of the earth itself also plays a role.

As air rises, the pressure decreases. It is this lower pressure at higher altitudes that causes the temperature to be colder on top of a mountain than at sea level.

Because of its vast size, crossing the Pacific Ocean requires a staggering quantity of fuel. However, most commercial aircraft do not fly directly over the Pacific Ocean; instead, they choose what are known as 'curved paths'. These paths offers a faster, more efficient route given the curved nature of the earth.

Do you bleed more at higher altitudes?

Atmospheric pressure decreases with increase in altitude. Therefore, as we go higher the pressure within the blood vessels exceeds the outside pressure. This causes the blood vessels to rupture. As a result, a mountaineer suffer nose bleeding, ear bleeding etc.

Sustained exposure to high altitude leads to cognitive decrement, such as impairment in attention, memory, judgment and emotion⁴. Research has demonstrated that cognitive impairment due to altitude starts at 2,500 m above sea level^5,6,7, because brain vulnerability to hypoxia increases beginning at 2,500 m⁸.

According to studies, people over age 65+ tolerate moderate altitude better than expected. Residency at higher altitude is associated with lower mortality. Studies have also shown that there is a 50% lower risk of dying from Alzheimer's disease compared to those living at lower altitudes.

Researchers have found that people living at higher altitudes have a lower chance of dying from heart disease and live longer.

Using those numbers as reference, we can calculate that if an observer at sea level stayed there for 100 years, someone who would have stayed on the Everest would be older by roughly 0.003 seconds. Technically yes, relative to an observer on Earth, a person at higher altitudes will age faster.

No significant changes were found in sleep efficiency or awakenings after travelling from 1,500 feet to 5,300 feet and then on to 8,500 feet but researchers did record a slight reduction in deep sleep. The review identified a study that suggested the higher the altitude, the bigger the impact on sleep.

Acute altitude sickness arises after at least four hours spent at an altitude above 2,000 m. Ascending to heights greater than 2,500 m can trigger a range of symptoms including headache and vomiting. Men are at greater risk of altitude sickness than women, for reasons unknown.

"High-altitude living decreases the risk of heart disease: A major risk factor for development of heart disease, stroke and diabetes is lower in people that live at higher altitudes; this also applies to people with a family history of these diseases." ScienceDaily.

For best protection, you are encouraged to use supplemental oxygen above 10,000 feet MSL. At night, because vision is particularly sensitive to diminished oxygen, a prudent rule is to use supplemental oxygen when flying above 6,000 feet MSL. So, when you fly at high altitudes, supplemental oxygen is the only solution.

How long does it take your body to adjust to Denver altitude?

Anecdotally, many locals will say it takes about one to three days to adjust to the air in cities like Denver, Salt Lake City, and Colorado Springs. However, everyone adjusts to higher altitudes differently—some people feel little to no difference, while others may take up to a week to feel normal.

“State of the Air 2022” ranked Denver as the 7th most polluted city for ozone pollution, one spot worse compared to the city's 8th place ranking in 2021.

DENVER (CBS4)- A new report shows that Colorado cities are among the most polluted in the U.S. Denver ranked 7th in the nation and Fort Collins came in 18th according to a report released by the American Lung Association. Denver's ranking is even worse when it comes to ground-level ozone pollution.

High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE)

HAPE typically develops 24 to 96 hours after rapid ascent to > 2500 m (> 8000 ft) and is responsible for most deaths due to altitude illness.

Some people can develop AMS as low as 6500 feet (2000 m). Symptoms usually occur within 6 to 12 hours of arrival at altitudes above 8000 feet (2400 m). Symptoms can begin as soon as one hour or as long as 24 hours after arriving. AMS does not occur after adjusting to a given altitude for three or more days.

If you take care and move to a lower elevation when you feel symptoms, altitude sickness has no long-term negative effects. You'll recover within a few days. Once you feel better, you can continue to travel to higher elevations, as long as you do so slowly and carefully.

Denver really is a mile high, but most people don't even notice the altitude difference. The air is just thinner and dryer. In fact, many people with respiratory problems move to Denver for the benefits of the dry air.

Colorado feels dry and the lack of moisture in the air can certainly be felt during the state's coldest months. Unlike the East Coast of the United States where high humidity ensures that you feel the bitter cold down to your bones, Colorado's dry climate protects you from the worst of the cold.

Colorado's position far inland and great distance from any large bodies of water, results in a usually dry climate. Also, because there are no oceans to moderate daily and seasonal temperatures, Colorado typically has hot summers and cold winters with relatively large temperature differences throughout each day.

Does Colorado have good air quality?

Colorado Springs has an air quality index of 88.3%. That's a bit less than the national average of 89.2%, but still better than the air quality in Denver, just North of Colorado Springs. The Palmer Divide tends to block out most of the smog and pollutants that come from Denver.

Results of a four-year study by researchers at the University of Colorado suggest that living at altitudes around 5,000 feet (Denver is 5,280 feet above see level) or higher might increase lifespan.

The coldest temperature on record in Colorado is minus 61 degrees, which was recorded on Feb. 1, 1985 in Maybell.

With an average maximum temperature of just 50 degrees Fahrenheit (F), Loveland is the coldest place in Colorado. Located just south of Fort Collins, in the north-central part of the state, Loveland is consistently colder than the rest of the state.

Colorado's climate is changing. Most of the state has warmed one or two degrees (F) in the last century. Throughout the western United States, heat waves are becoming more common, snow is melting earlier in spring, and less water flows through the Colorado River.

Warm, humid weather is generally gentle on the skin. Skin barrier function is usually normal, and the hydrolipid barrier can easily maintain its structure. Yet, high temperatures often cause a lot of sweating, especially if you're out enjoying the heat.

The research found that even a drop in humidity of just 30 per cent can lead to the formation of fine wrinkles in as little as 30 minutes. Furthermore, low humidity can cause decreased skin elasticity, increased skin roughness and may worsen some skin disorders.

A combination of factors in Colorado such as wind, low humidity, and high altitude can deplete skin of moisture, causing it to feel dry and itchy and also look dry and weathered. Additionally, with cold weather comes indoor heating, which causes dry skin in winter.

Hawaii has, on average, the cleanest air in the USA overall. It has an AQI value of 21.2, which is in the healthy range set by the EPA. The American Lung Association ranks two cities in Hawaii in the top 25 cleanest US cities for year-round particle pollution.

Hawaii ranks first in the nation for air and water quality, as well as in the overall natural environment category. Massachusetts places second in this subcategory, followed by North Dakota, Virginia and Florida. Learn more about the Best States for air and water quality below.

Why is Colorado the healthiest?

Colorado is Home to Progressive Healthcare Infrastructures

Another reason why Colorado is considered the healthiest state? Colorado has thousands of innovative medical clinics and hospitals, community non-profits, and fitness centers.