You think you know cold? If you've lived through a Denver winter, you’ve probably felt that sharp, dry bite that makes your nostrils stick together. But honestly, that’s nothing compared to the absolute deep freeze that settled over a tiny corner of the state back in the eighties.
We are talking about a kind of cold that changes the way metal behaves. A cold so intense it literally sounds different when you walk on the snow.
On February 1, 1985, the coldest recorded temperature in Colorado was officially set in Maybell, a small, quiet town in Moffat County. The mercury plummeted to a staggering -61°F. That isn't a typo. It was sixty-one degrees below zero.
The Morning Maybell Froze Over
Maybell is a "blink and you’ll miss it" kind of place on Highway 40, nestled in the Yampa River Valley. It’s high desert, mostly ranch land, and usually pretty peaceful. But that Friday morning in 1985, it became the coldest spot in the lower 48 states.
People who were there still talk about it. They didn't have the high-tech, moisture-wicking gear we have now. Georgia McIntyre, a longtime resident, once recalled putting actual newspapers in her shoes just to try and keep some semblance of heat in her feet. It’s hard to wrap your head around that level of chill. At -61°F, skin freezes in minutes. Exposed pipes don't just leak; they explode. Engines? Forget about it. Unless you had a block heater running all night, your truck was basically a very heavy paperweight.
Interestingly, Maybell wasn't alone in the freezer that year. Just a bit further south, Taylor Park also hit -60°F on the exact same day. It was a statewide crisis of ice.
Why Does Colorado Get This Cold?
You’d think the highest peaks would hold the record, right? Actually, no. The coldest recorded temperature in Colorado happened at an elevation of about 5,900 feet. That's lower than many parts of the Front Range.
The secret is a geographic quirk called a "cold air sink."
Basically, cold air is denser and heavier than warm air. On clear, calm nights with lots of snow on the ground, that heavy cold air slides down the mountain slopes and settles into the valleys. Because Maybell sits in a bit of a bowl near the river, the air just sits there. It pools like water at the bottom of a basin. With no wind to stir it up, the temperature just keeps dropping and dropping.
The Top 5 All-Time Lows in Colorado
While Maybell wears the crown, other spots have come terrifyingly close. Look at how these stack up:
- Maybell: -61°F (Feb 1, 1985)
- Taylor Park: -60°F (Feb 1, 1985 & Feb 1, 1951)
- Alamosa: -50°F (Jan 28, 1948)
- Lake George: -50°F (Jan 10, 1962)
- Eagle: -51°F (Jan 12, 1963)
Notice a pattern? Most of these happened in the middle of winter, specifically late January or early February. It’s that "dead of winter" window where the snowpack is deepest and the nights are still long enough for the Earth to lose all its heat to space.
Life at Sixty Below
It’s one thing to see the number on a screen; it’s another to live it. When the coldest recorded temperature in Colorado hit, everyday life just... stopped.
I've talked to folks who remember the 1985 cold snap. One guy mentioned that his breath didn't just puff out in a cloud; it felt like it was crackling. There’s a sound to that kind of cold. The ground gets so hard it rings like stone when you hit it.
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Animals have it the worst. Ranchers in Moffat County had to go to extreme lengths to keep livestock alive, often breaking through inches of solid ice on water troughs every hour just so the cattle could drink. If you didn't, the animals would dehydrate in the middle of a frozen wasteland.
Is It Getting Warmer?
Some people argue that we’ll never see -61°F again because of shifting climates. It's true that Colorado’s average temperatures have been ticking upward—about 2.3°F since 1980, according to the Colorado Climate Center. But weather is chaotic.
While the "averages" are higher, we still get these weird "polar vortex" events. Just a few years ago in 2023, the Craig-Moffat Airport (right near Maybell) hit -41°F. Still brutal. Still dangerous. But it makes that -61°F record look even more like a freak of nature.
Surviving the Next Big Freeze
If you’re traveling through the high country or living in these valley towns, you sort of have to respect the history. The coldest recorded temperature in Colorado is a reminder that the environment here can turn lethal fast.
Basically, don't be a hero.
If you see a forecast dipping into the -30s or -40s, check your supplies.
- Vehicle Prep: Make sure your antifreeze is actually rated for those temps. Most "standard" mixes are good to -34°F. At -61°F, your radiator becomes a block of slush.
- The "Old School" Trick: If you have to be out, layer up with wool, not cotton. And honestly? The newspaper-in-the-shoes trick Georgia used? It actually works in a pinch because it creates tiny air pockets of insulation.
- Pipe Protection: In your home, keep the taps dripping. Moving water is much harder to freeze than standing water.
The record in Maybell has stood for over 40 years now. It’s a badge of honor for the town, even if it’s one they’d rather not have to experience firsthand again. Whenever you think your January morning is rough, just remember: it could be 61 below.
To stay ahead of the next big freeze, keep a close eye on the Colorado Climate Center updates. They track these extremes in real-time. If you're planning a winter trip to the northwest corner of the state, always pack a dedicated cold-weather emergency kit for your car—including blankets, flares, and extra food—because out there, cell service and warmth are never guaranteed.