Denver music festival summer survival guide

Denver is anticipating a busy summer of festivals and outdoor concerts this year, including numerous free events. Lincoln Davie, associate professor in the Department of Exercise and Sport Sciences at Metropolitan State University of Denver, has some tips to make sure your big day stays on track.

Protect yourself from the sun.

Denver’s elevated location means that it misses out on much of Earth’s densest protective atmosphere, and the sun’s powerful ultraviolet rays can do real damage.

“Do not underestimate the sun — and also remember that not all sunscreen is equal,” Davie said. At the city’s raised elevation, he explained, the UV index runs higher than most visitors expect, and many conventional sunscreens just don’t cut it. “I run anything I’ll be putting on my skin through EWG’s Skin Deep database before committing to buying — it’s always worth checking the ingredients.”

Another tip: The high altitude means it can feel quite mild even when the sun is pretty intense, so don’t forget to take a hat and sunglasses, and reapply your sunscreen every two hours.

And did we mention rain, cold, storms, hailstones?

Colorado’s weird and wonderful weather means that even the sunniest day can be interrupted by a heavy downpour. Denverites are accustomed to sudden meteorological turns. In one recent notorious incident, a hundred concertgoers at Red Rocks were injured by giant hailstones in June.

“While Denver in summer runs warm and sunny, afternoon thunderstorms can build fast on the Front Range,” Davie explained. “Check the forecast on the morning of — not the night before — your event, and have a plan in place before the sky starts building to the west.”

Another great hack is to carefully plan your clothing layers. “Mornings here can be cool, afternoons can push into the high 80s, then a quick storm can drop temperatures pretty fast,” Davie said. “Ideally, you want to be dressed and ready for all three.”

Stay hydrated and moisturized.

Bear in mind that Denver’s semiarid climate means that it’s halfway to being a desert. If you plan to be outdoors for hours on a scorching day, drinking plenty of liquids to stay hydrated is essential. “Denver’s altitude and dry air will work against you faster than you’d expect,” Davie warned. “Thirst is a lagging indicator up here, not a reliable early warning.”

It’s a good idea to take along a refillable water bottle (collapsible ones are especially handy) and also consider an electrolyte boost. “My trail staple is Nuun electrolyte tablets — compact, easy to carry, and a straightforward way to stay ahead of dehydration on a long day moving between stages and experiences,” Davie said. “Throw a few in your bag before you head out.”

Finally, remember that the lack of humidity means dry skin and chapped lips are occupational hazards in Denver, so slather on the lotion.

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Keep your belongings safe.

Any large-scale summer event is bound to attract pickpockets. The combination of close crowds, flowing alcohol and easily liftable possessions are just too irresistible. One smart idea is to take along a zipper-secured, front-facing bag (or fanny pack) to deter light-fingered neighbors.

It also pays to think ahead. “Decide in advance what you actually need: The shorter that list, the fewer items you’ll be managing all day,” Davie advised. “I typically avoid leaving valuables in my car, and if you have something that’s especially valuable or cherished, maybe just leave it home for the day.”

Protect your hearing.

Festivals can get really loud, particularly when you head close to the stage. Live music at concerts typically exceeds 100 decibels, and prolonged exposure at those levels can cause permanent hearing damage.

“If you want to enjoy the day and protect your hearing, invest in some good quality earplugs — they will reduce sound by 25 decibels and give you hours of safe listening,” Davie said. And remember: If you’re taking kids along, earplugs are a must.

Keep in touch with friends.

Getting separated from your friends at a festival can be incredibly annoying, not least because the crowds are so big and cell phone reception tends to be spotty. But there are still ways to make sure you can find each other again, if you think smart.

“As soon as you arrive, agree on a fixed, visible meeting point with your group — a particular landmark, say, or a food vendor or medical tent,” Davie said. However, he added, it’s important to pick a spot that is clear but not too obvious: “It’s very likely that hundreds of people will have chosen ‘by the main entrance’ as their meet-up location, which kind of defeats the point.”

Out-of-towners: Beware the altitude.

Denverites are accustomed to functioning at 5,280 feet above sea level, but if you’re flying in from sea level, it may take a while to adjust to the high life. “Denver’s elevation affects people differently,” Davie explained. “But you can certainly expect more fatigue, faster dehydration and a lower tolerance for exertion than you’re accustomed to.”

A few tips to remember: Go easy on exercise. Being a mile up means you get 17.5% less oxygen, and you will definitely feel it at first. Make sure to stay well hydrated. And be careful around alcohol. The altitude heightens its effects, so that bottle of beer might well feel like two bottles.

Have a contingency plan.

Once you arrive at your festival, take a moment to pinpoint some of the venue’s key locations and priorities, such as first aid tents, water stations, security hubs and your nearest exit. Doing all this takes only a minute or two, but you’ll be very glad if anything goes awry.