nhastings Loc: Telluride, CO

Two photos taken from the same spot. The first shows an "old normal" scene. The second is today, the "new normal." Unfortunately I am afraid this smoky atmosphere is going to hang around for years. I don't see the outbreak of fires in the Western States to subside and go away. Especially without some heavy rains to clean it up.

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47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

For sure. We live about a dozen miles east of Boulder and, some mornings, have to look for the front range. You captured it well.

Bill Munny Loc: Aurora, Colorado

Sure does play havoc with my breathing and sinuses. And it will really mess up the coming fall colors. Two years ago it was the same way until the end of Oct. Here s/e of Denver it is worse, cannot even see for more than a mile. I think you are correct about the near future. We have been in a drought for more than 30 years. It is one of the normal cycles of climate change which has been enhanced by our fast growing population and paving/building almost anything/anywhere close to major cities.

nhastings Loc: Telluride, CO

Couldn't agree more. My scientific knowledge comes from daily/yearly/lifetime observation. And, every once in a while, some comparative images. Living in the mountains at 9500 ft is very telling. Snow is coming later and stopping earlier. Last year we had less than 50% of normal snowfall. The monsoons this year have been noticeably absent in August. March used to be our biggest snowfall month of the year. In the past 3 years it has gone downhill quickly. The ski business is shrinking due to leaner years. Instead of opening up at Thanksgiving, my prognostication is that mid December will be the norm going forward. It's a tough FACT to face, but I don't think we have a choice. Climate change is real and not going away.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

We moved out here from Connecticut in 2011 after I retired. Before then, I was part of the Rocky Flats cleanup team. Before leaving Conn, I sold my heavy snow blower, too costly to transport across the country when I was picking up the tab for the move. Bought a new blower even before we moved into our house. With a north facing driveway, I figured it would come in handy multiple times a year. Going fast forward, each year I start it 3-5 times. Once to make sure it still works, 2 for dustings, 1 for a snowfall that justifies it, and a final 1 time before I put it away.

Bill Munny Loc: Aurora, Colorado

In the 70's I taught cross country skiing, using golf courses. Starting about '75 there was never enough snow or cold to use the golf courses again. And the snow keeps falling less and less each year. We used to look forward to July 4th which would kick off the hiking and fishing trips in the high mountains. Now you can do it not later than June 15th. Ice-off now is about June 5th. Pretty dire stats, I am a native here and used to live at 10,500 ft. in elevation. My memories don't lie, so people think we are just fine, even though water is the most valuable thing we have in this state. California wants their share of our water to fill their pools and water the desert. We are starting to look like AZ.

JeffDavidson Loc: Originally Detroit Now Los Angeles

So sad. You told a story with your photos.