Tips to stay safe in Colorado’s hot summer months

Yes, Colorado has had an unusually long stretch of damp, cloudy weather in a state that typically enjoys soaring temperatures and plenty of sunshine. But the sunshine is back and temps are rising which, as always, means more time relaxing, exercising and playing in Colorado’s great outdoors.

On the heels of Denver’s third hottest summer in recorded history in 2022, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is predicting 2023 could likely be one of the Top 10 warmest years on record in much of the U.S., and could possibly approach the Top 5, according to scientists.

For people of all ages — and especially older adults — the risks associated with high temperatures and increased UV rays are very real, from small bouts of dehydration to a full-blown, life-threatening medical emergency. A combination of factors make the preparation for higher temps and more time in the sun that much more important.

According to the National Institute