Fraser, Colorado: Celebrating Life in the Deep Freeze
Fraser, Colorado, has captured national attention by recording a staggering temperature of minus 44 degrees Fahrenheit—the coldest reading in the United States this week. Located at an elevation of 8,574 feet near Winter Park, Fraser’s weather patterns are often dictated by the polar vortex, drawing frigid air from the North Pole. Local meteorologists report that weather stations in the surrounding area also logged chilling temperatures between minus 40 and minus 44.
Despite the extreme conditions, the town’s 1,400 residents take pride in their winter resilience. With an annual average temperature of 34.8 degrees Fahrenheit and a growing season that lasts only a few days, the community has adapted to life in the cold. Residents know to equip their cars with block heaters and prioritize warm winter attire, as expressed by local bartender Dani Dresch who noted the necessity of layering clothing during harsh winters.
Fraser has long been informally recognized as the "Icebox of the Nation," though a legal dispute with International Falls, Minnesota, has culminated in Fraser relinquishing the title. International Falls’ Mayor Drake Dill derisively remarked about Fraser’s claim to cold supremacy, igniting passionate responses from Fraser’s Mayor Brian Cerkvenik.
As International Falls prepares for its yearly “Icebox Days,” Fraser plans to mark its winter identity with festivities of its own. The upcoming Fraser Fire and Ice Festival, set for February 8, promises to be a whimsical contrast to the deep freeze.
Despite the chill in the air, residents maintain a warm spirit, embodying the charm and tenacity of life in one of the coldest places in the U.S.