On the heels of news that Colorado’s first West Nile virus case of the year has been detected, experts are reportedly indicating that the 2026 mosquito season is setting up to be a particularly bad one in Colorado.

According to reporting from 9NEWS, horticulture specialist Karim Gharbi said that the mild winter will mean a higher number of mosquitos amid warmer summer temperatures given that cold and wetter winters can cause eggs to freeze with ice crystals piercing the bodies of mosquitos that would be born in the spring. The lack of snow and colder temperatures this past winter likely meant that the mosquito population fared well.

Given that more mosquitos could presumably mean a higher chance of getting a mosquito bite, it will be important for Coloradans to do their best to protect against West Nile virus.

The West Nile virus killed 18 people in Colorado last year, with Colorado often one of the worst states for the virus.

Death is obviously the most serious potential outcome of West Nile Virus, but it’s also worth noting that of the 286 people that were found to be affected by the disease in 2025, 154 were hospitalized (54%) and 143 ended up with neurologic symptoms (50%). A death rate of six percent is scary in itself, but it’s important to remember that these other symptoms can have a lasting impact on an individual’s life, too.

In 2025, northern Colorado counties of Larimer, Boulder, Weld, and Adams combined accounted for 152 of the 286 total cases (about 53%). This falls in line with historical data as these four counties have accounted for about half of all known cases since 2003 – 3,505 of 7,075 cases, or about 49.5 percent.

The CDPHE recommends using insect repellents (see their list of essential ingredients here) and limiting time outside when mosquitos are most active (dusk and dawn). Protective clothing and limiting skin exposure can also help, as can working to ‘mosquito-proof’ your home by removing items that may collect standing water and by installing or repairing screens on doors and windows.

As far as the symptoms of West Nile virus go, these tend to appear about two to 14 days after a bite. Fever and a headache can progress into a stiff neck, disorientation, tremors, and coma, with more severe cases resulting in brain infections like meningitis or encephalitis. Permanent brain damage and death can occur. It’s also worth noting that most deaths involve people 50 years of age or older. Unfortunately, there’s no treatment or vaccine available for the disease.

Read more about mosquito safety and the West Nile virus in Colorado here find the full report from 9NEWS that features more information from Gharbi here.

STAY INFORMED: Get free Colorado news with our daily newsletter (Click here)