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<br />The growing season in the plains region varies with the altitude. In the <br /> <br />high mountain valleys, typified by South Park, the growing season averages from <br /> <br />40 to 60 days. In the San Luis Valley, it ranges from 90 to 120 days. In the <br /> <br />plains area, east of the mountains, the growing season averages about 145 to <br /> <br />170 days. <br />In western Colorado, the rugged topography causes large variations in climate <br /> <br />within short distances. At the summits of mountains, temperatures are low, <br /> <br />averaging less than 320 F over the year. Snow-covered mountain parks and valleys <br /> <br />often have very cold nighttime temperatures in winter when skies are clear and <br /> <br />the air is still--occasionally to 500 F below zero. Summer in the mountains is <br /> <br />a cool and refreshing season. At typical mountain stations, the average July <br /> <br />temperature is in the neighborhood of 600 F. The highest temperatures are <br /> <br />usually in the seventies and eighties, but may reach 900 F to 950 F. Above 7,000 <br /> <br />feet, the nights are quite cool throughout the summer, while bright sunshine makes <br /> <br />the days comfortably warm. <br /> <br />Precipitation west of the Continental Divide is more evenly distributed <br /> <br />throughout the year. For most of western Colorado, the greatest monthly precipi- <br /> <br />tation occurs in the winter months, dominated by snow. June is the driest month. <br /> <br />Average annual precipitation ranges from less than 6 inches in the lowest valleys <br /> <br />to more than 50 inches in the higher mountains. Average precipitation in most <br /> <br />valleys and agricultural areas ranges from about 8 to 12 inches per year. Annual <br /> <br />snowfall ranges from 200 to 300 inches in the higher mountains to about 5 inches in <br /> <br />the lower valleys and plateau areas. Maximum snow accumulation occasionally exceeds <br /> <br />100 inches in the higher areas and does not completely melt until late summer. <br /> <br />Variation in temperatures and elevation produce large differences in the <br /> <br />growing season. Freezing temperatures may occur at any time of the year in the <br /> <br />higher mountain areas. At the higher elevations, about 8,500 feet and above, the <br /> <br />-5- <br /> <br />033~ <br />