Seasonal Depression in Colorado and Montana: Why Fall Hits Hard and How to Get Ahead of It
The aspens have turned, the first snow has dusted the peaks, and the sun is setting earlier every evening. For many people in Colorado and Montana, fall also brings something less welcome: low energy, heavier moods, and a pull to hibernate until spring.
If that sounds familiar, you may be dealing with more than the winter blues. Seasonal depression is common, it's treatable, and the best time to get ahead of it is now, before the darkest weeks of the year arrive.
Why seasonal depression hits the Mountain West hard
Seasonal depression, or seasonal affective disorder (SAD), is linked to shorter days. Less daylight can disrupt your internal clock and the brain chemicals that regulate mood and sleep.
Montana feels this sharply. By late December, Missoula gets only about eight and a half hours of daylight. In a 2025 analysis of Google search trends and weather data, Missoula ranked #6 among U.S. cities where seasonal depression hits hardest. Nationally, searches for "seasonal depression" tend to peak in the third week of November (KRDO / Thriveworks). A separate GoodRx analysis found Montana among the states with higher fill trends for seasonal depression medication (GoodRx).
Colorado is known for sunshine, but cold snaps, short days, and long stretches indoors still take a toll, especially in mountain towns where the sun drops behind the ridgeline early.
Does altitude play a role?
Researchers have noticed that depression and suicide rates run higher in the intermountain West, including Colorado and Montana. A 2018 review in the Harvard Review of Psychiatry suggested that chronically lower oxygen levels at high altitude may affect how the brain processes serotonin (ScienceDaily). The research is still developing, and altitude is only one piece of the picture. But if you live at elevation and notice your mood dipping, it's worth taking seriously.
If you or someone you love is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7.
Seasonal depression vs. the winter blues
Feeling a little sluggish when it's dark at 5 p.m. is normal. Seasonal depression is more persistent and starts to affect daily life. Common signs include:
Low mood most of the day, nearly every day
Oversleeping and still feeling tired
Craving carbs and gaining weight
Losing interest in things you usually enjoy
Pulling away from friends and family
Trouble concentrating at work or school
For most people, symptoms start in late fall and ease in spring. If this pattern shows up year after year, it's worth a professional evaluation.
How to get ahead of seasonal depression this fall
Get outside in the morning. Even 10 to 15 minutes of daylight soon after waking helps anchor your body clock.
Ask about a light box. Bright light exposure in the morning can help many people with seasonal depression. Check with your provider first, especially if you have bipolar disorder or an eye condition.
Keep a steady sleep schedule. Wake up at the same time every day, even when it's dark out.
Move your body, ideally outdoors. A midday walk or a few ski runs count.
Ask about vitamin D. Levels often drop in winter. Your provider can tell you whether testing or a supplement makes sense.
Plan things to look forward to. Put social plans on the calendar now, before the urge to hibernate kicks in.
How Telehealth Psychiatry Can Help in Colorado and Montana
Self-care helps, but it isn't always enough. A psychiatric evaluation can help you understand whether you're dealing with seasonal depression, year-round depression, or something else, such as bipolar disorder, which needs a different treatment approach.
For some people, medication is an important part of the plan. Bupropion XL is FDA-approved to help prevent seasonal depressive episodes, and other antidepressants may also help. The right choice depends on your history and symptoms. Timing matters too: starting treatment in early fall, before symptoms peak, can make the winter much easier.
At Mae Mental Wellness, our Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners provide online psychiatric care by secure video, including evaluations and medication management. In Colorado, that means telehealth psychiatry for Highlands Ranch, Littleton, and the rest of the Denver metro, as well as mountain towns with few local options. If you've been searching for an online psychiatrist in Littleton, CO, our PMHNPs are licensed to evaluate, diagnose, and prescribe, with no commute. In Montana, telehealth services close the distance from Billings to Kalispell and every small town in between. Montana telehealth psychiatry means no icy roads between you and care during the months you need it most.
FAQ
When does seasonal depression usually start? For most people, symptoms begin in late fall and peak between November and February. Many people notice the first signs around the time clocks fall back.
Can I get online psychiatric care in Montana or Colorado for seasonal depression? Yes. Mae Mental Wellness offers Montana telehealth and Colorado telehealth visits for adults located in either state at the time of their appointment. See our fees page for pricing.
Don't wait for spring
You don't have to white-knuckle it through another long winter. Seasonal depression is real, it's common in the Mountain West, and it responds to care.
Book your virtual psychiatric evaluation with Mae Mental Wellness at maementalwellness.com and get ahead of the dark months this year.
Cover image courtesty of Pexels.com.
