Grand Junction Allergies Are Brutal This Year: Here’s Why

Does it seem like allergies are more intense than usual in Grand Junction this spring? It’s not your imagination. Pollen arrived weeks ahead of schedule this year, just like spring did. Tree pollen, like juniper and elm, has already been active around the Western Slope.

This means our bodies have all been dealing with allergens sooner and longer than in a typical season. As Colorado's allergy season stretches statewide, we are taking a closer look at what is causing symptoms to last longer and hit harder.

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What’s Actually Triggering Allergies Right Now in Grand Junction

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Thanks to a warm spring, the tree pollen in Grand Junction struck early this year. At the same time, dry soil gets kicked up by local activity, and that dust amplifies the allergens already in the air. This is what makes your allergies feel increasingly irritated, even when the pollen count might not be extreme.

Why Allergy Season Started Early This Year

A warm and dry winter isn’t just a let-down for skiers; it means an early allergy season. Plants bloom sooner, shifting the timeline for sneezing and runny noses forward. Without a significant snowpack to slow things down, pollen production began early and is expected to last even longer.

Why Grand Junction Gets Hit Harder—And Why It Feels Worse

Read More: 10 Facts You May Not Have Known About Colorado’s State Tree

It's something that comes with living on the Western Slope. A dry climate, high elevation, and common Colorado plants most of us are allergic to create a perfect storm.  Without humidity, particles stay airborne longer. Pollen plus dust increases the overall “allergy load,” making symptoms feel worse than they might be.