NRDC Issue Brief: Climate Change and Health in Colorado

Blog > Colorado > NRDC Issue Brief: Climate Change and Health in Colorado

September 28, 2023 | Colorado

Have you noticed that Colorado summers are getting hotter? Does it seem like wildfire season is lasting longer? Are you finding the air hazier and harder to breathe during fire season? It’s not your imagination. Climate change is altering seasonal patterns, making hot days more intense, and contributing to the rising number of disasters in Colorado like the 2012 High Park Fire. As a result, we face a variety of health impacts like more heat-related illnesses, breathing and heart troubles, food and water contamination, traumatic injuries during extreme weather, mental health threats, and increased exposure to infectious diseases. These threats will only increase as big polluters and our transportation systems continue to pump climate-changing pollution from burning coal, oil, and natural gas into the air. DOWNLOAD PDF>