Elevation in Colorado

Elevations in Colorado range from 3,350 feet on the Arkansas River near Holly in southeastern Colorado to 14,431 feet on Mt. Elbert in central Colorado.

Colorado has an average elevation of 6800 feet.

Elevation and Climate

As elevation increases, air pressure and temperature both decrease.

Air temperature decreases about 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit or 2 degrees Celsius per 1000 feet of elevation increase.

Air masses must rise over the mountains and higher land. As the air rises, it cools. Since cooler air can hold less water than warmer air, rain or snow occurs when a moist air mass moves over a range of mountains. As a result, the windward sides of mountains receive more precipitation than the leeward sides of mountains.

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