Does Colorado Even Have Groundhogs? (And What Would They Predict for Winter?)
Every year on February 2nd, Punxsutawney Phil emerges from his burrow in Pennsylvania to predict whether we’ll have six more weeks of winter or an early spring. But in Colorado, where we have some of the most unpredictable weather in the country, it raises the question: do we even have groundhogs? And if we did, what would they predict?
Are There Groundhogs in Colorado?
The short answer? Not really. Groundhogs (also known as woodchucks) are members of the marmot family and are mostly found in the eastern and central United States. Colorado’s altitude, dry climate, and rugged terrain aren’t the ideal habitat for them. However, we do have yellow-bellied marmots, which are close relatives of groundhogs and thrive in the Rockies.
Meet Colorado’s “Groundhog”—The Yellow-Bellied Marmot
Yellow-bellied marmots are larger than groundhogs, with golden-brown fur and a fondness for sunbathing on rocky outcrops. Unlike Phil, who spends Groundhog Day in the middle of winter predicting the weather, Colorado marmots are still deep in hibernation on February 2nd—and they don’t wake up until April or May. If we relied on them for predictions, winter would always seem to last a lot longer!
What Would a Colorado “Groundhog” Predict?
If Colorado had its own weather-forecasting marmot, things would look very different than Phil’s tradition in Pennsylvania. Here’s how a Colorado-style Groundhog Day might go:
- If a marmot sees its shadow?
- Six more weeks of skiing. Expect more powder days in the mountains and a few surprise blizzards in Denver.
- No shadow?
- A false spring is coming! Get ready for a week of 70-degree weather in February before a snowstorm rolls in and cancels your weekend plans.
- Marmot stays in hibernation?
- This is the most likely scenario. Colorado’s unpredictable spring means it’s better to wait until at least Maybefore assuming winter is over.
The Wild Weather of Groundhog Day in Colorado
Even if we did have groundhogs, it’s unlikely they’d get it right. Colorado’s weather is famously all over the place. Some Groundhog Days in Boulder have been sunny and 60 degrees, while others have brought full-on blizzards.
One of the most memorable occurred in 1989, when Boulder saw a high of 72 degrees on February 2nd—only for a snowstorm to hit three days later. If a groundhog (or marmot) had predicted an early spring that year, it would have been both right and wrong within the same week.
A Better Predictor of Colorado Weather?
Since groundhogs don’t live here, maybe it’s time for Colorado to choose a new weather predictor. Some ideas:
- The Flatirons Forecast – If the Flatirons are covered in fresh snow on February 2nd, winter is staying put.
- The Ski Bum Signal – If a ski bum chooses to work instead of hitting the slopes, it means spring is truly on the way.
- The Elk Migration Model – If the elk in Estes Park start heading up into the mountains, it’s time to put away the winter coat.
Final Verdict: Would a Colorado Groundhog Work?
Probably not. Between our high-altitude climate, unpredictable storms, and lack of actual groundhogs, Colorado isn’t exactly a Groundhog Day kind of place. But if we were to create our own version, our marmots, skiers, or even the Flatirons themselves might be a better way to guess what’s coming next.
Until then, maybe we should just flip a coin and hope for the best.