DID YOU KNOW
It is often said that Colorado has more than 300 days of sunshine every year, but that really depends on how sunshine is measured. In Colorado, there are many days when the sun shines at least some but relatively few totally clear days.
According to Colorado Climate Center’s senior research associate Nolan J. Doesken, who has a Q&A webpage at the center’s website, there is no official definition of “days of sunshine.” For many years, Pueblo, Denver and Colorado Springs operated an instrument called a “sunshine switch.” If the instrument is clean and perfectly calibrated, it can tell minute by minute when the sun is shining. A study was done over 10 years ago based on data from the three cities’ stations. Based on that information, if every day in the Denver metro area is counted when the sun was out for at least one hour, there would be an average of around 300 days of sunshine.
In the metro area, there are probably 30 to 40 totally overcast days per year, but only about 115 days per year fit the traditional definition of clear.
No matter what the amount actually is, there were historically enough sunny days to inspire names of towns, peaks and geological features throughout Colorado, such as Sunlight Peak in La Plata County, Sunshine Peak in Hinsdale County, and the towns of Sunshine and Sunset in Boulder County.
The town of Sunbeam in Moffat County was established in 1912 and probably was named by settler N.C. Bonivee, who said that the sun rays or beams shone brighter on this particular spot in the valley than at any other point.
Sources: Nolan J. Doesken, Colorado Climate Center, Department of Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University (http://ccc.atmos.colostate.edu/questions.php); “Colorado Place Names by William Bright; “1001 Colorado Place Names,” by Maxine Benson
REGIONAL NOTES
THORNTON
Perl Mack library fate on agenda
The Rangeview Library District Board of Trustees will look at the issue of closing the Perl Mack branch library and other financial matters concerning the district at a special meeting on July 5.
The meeting is scheduled at 4 p.m. at the Perl Mack Library, 7611 Hilltop Circle, Denver.
The board is considering closing Perl Mack to address the district’s dire financial situation, said district spokeswoman Ann Myers. The district includes much of Adams County.
A recent public meeting to discuss the closure of Perl Mack drew a crowd of 100, many of whom pleaded to keep the branch open.
The public is invited to attend the July 5 meeting, said Myers.
AURORA
Historian to tell tales of veterans
A July 16 program at the Aurora History Museum will feature an internationally acclaimed storyteller, songwriter and author telling the stories of veterans from diverse backgrounds who found a commonality on America’s battlefields.
Historian Pat Mendoza will use story, song and video backdrop for his program “From Sand Creek to Vietnam,” telling stories of veterans from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the museum.
Mendoza, who also has written several books, a folk opera and a musical storytelling production, has been featured on National Public Radio, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. and the British Broadcasting Corp.
The cost to attend the program, sponsored by the John Thomas Foundation, is $3 for Aurora residents and $4 for nonresidents.
To register, call 303-326-8650.
DENVER POST STAFF REPORTS
