Metro Denver is bracing for extreme heat as temperatures are forecast to soar into the triple digits starting Friday, with a National Weather Service heat advisory in effect through at least 6 p.m. Saturday. In response, Denver and other cities in the region are opening cooling centers to help residents stay safe and comfortable.
“All currently operating rec centers will be available as cooling centers during normal business hours” on Friday and Saturday, said Amber Campbell, public information officer for the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment.
The rec centers will each have designated areas for cooling, along with drinking water and restrooms, officials said. Denver Public Library locations also will be available for indoor cooling during business hours.
Denver locations
Feeling the heat? Here are several Denver libraries and recreation centers open as cooling centers, including:
- 5090 Broadway Recreation Center, 5090 Broadway, open 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday
- Ashland Recreation Center, 2475 W. Dunkeld Place, open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday
- Athmar Recreation Center, 2680 W. Mexico Ave., open 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday and 12 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday
- Aztlan Recreation Center, 4435 Navajo St., open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday
- Barnum Recreation Center, 360 Hooker St., open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday
- Bear Valley Branch Library, 5171 W. Dartmouth Ave., open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday
- Ross-Cherry Creek Branch Library, 305 Milwaukee St., open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday
- Eugene Field Branch Library, 810 S. University Blvd., open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday
For a full list of recreation centers and libraries available around the area, visit the city’s parks and recreation website and the Denver Library locations page.
Aurora locations
In addition to Denver, the city of Aurora provides emergency cooling stations for the public at libraries on days when temperatures rise above 99 degrees.
Locations include:
- Central Library, 14949 E. Alameda Parkway, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday
- Chambers Plaza Library, 1551 N. Chambers Road, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday
- Hoffman Library, 1298 Peoria St., 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday
- Martin Luther King Jr. Library, 9898 E. Colfax Ave., 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday
- Aurora Day Resource Center, 13387 E. 19th Place, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily
All locations are closed on Sundays, except for the Aurora Day Resource Center, as the center can serve as an overnight shelter during emergency weather.
Westminster locations
Westminster has several recreation centers and libraries open to the community as places to cool off, including:
- City Park Recreation Center, 10455 N. Sheridan Blvd., open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
- City Park Fitness Center, 10475 Sheridan Blvd., open 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
- West View Recreation Center, 10747 W. 108th Ave., open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday
- Swim & Fitness Center, 3290 W. 76th Ave., open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
- The MAC, 3295 W. 72nd Ave., open 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday and 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
- Countryside Pool, 10470 Oak St., open from Monday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Irving Street Library, 7392 Irving St., open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
- College Hill Library, 3705 W. 112th Ave., open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Recreation center lobby areas provide free cooling, while use of amenities requires a fee.
Tips for staying safe
The Denver Department of Public Health and Environment also offers tips to prevent heat-related illnesses, such as staying indoors with air conditioning, visiting public spaces such as libraries or recreation centers to cool off, drinking plenty of water and avoiding outdoor activity during peak sun hours.
Residents should also wear sunscreen; light, loose clothing; and hats when outside.
During periods of high heat, officials encourage residents to check on friends and neighbors to be sure they are safe, and to never leave children or pets unattended in a hot car.
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