One Colorado County Leads The State In Lightning Fatalities

Colorado is a state where the weather will keep you on your toes. I know I've been caught more than once in the mountains when a sudden storm kicks up. Seeing those blue skies go dark in a flash can be a real cause for concern.

Colorado is one of the top three states in the United States for lightning-related deaths. Within our borders, there is one Front Range County that is the clear leader for lightning fatalities, and you might be surprised to find out why.

Lightning in Colorado: A Shocking Reality

Living in the Centennial State means facing risks that those in other states may never encounter. In Colorado, however, you might get eaten by a bear, stomped by a moose, or run down by a mountain lion - that's if the thunderstorms don't get you first. Teller County might be the state's most active lightning county, but the deadliest is further East.

Colorado’s long carried a dangerous reputation when it comes to lightning. According to the National Weather Service, the state has averaged at least two lightning-related deaths and 12 serious injuries every year since 1980. According to KUNC, from 2006 to 2023 alone, 24 people lost their lives to lightning in Colorado—and that’s a pretty sobering number to think about.

Which County Leads Colorado?

Read More: How Mountains And Mesas Make Colorado's Summer Storms

Just as Mount Elbert is Colorado's highest mountain, El Paso County is Colorado's most lethal hotspot when it comes to lightning and dangerous storms. 9News.com says Larimer County is a not-so-distant second, experiencing the same number of fatalities (ten) from 1980 to 2021, but fewer injuries. By comparison, during the same period, both Mesa and Montrose counties experienced four fatal strikes. El Paso County has earned its reputation as a lightning epicenter.

Why El Paso County Faces Greater Danger

That old culprit again. Severe weather patterns near Colorado Springs are almost always impacted by the Palmer Divide. Strong air masses coming over the Rocky Mountains collide with moisture coming up from the South. The elevation of the divide helps to stir the soup and create storm magnets that fuel lots of storms. Call it bad luck that a city like Colorado Springs, with so many outdoor activities, can often put outdoor adventurers like us in harm's way, especially in July when storms are often at their worst.

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