It's not just a drill — Denver's tornado history goes back decades

DENVER — The Denver Office of Emergency Management (OEM) held its annual Mile High Ready drill on Thursday to test for a tornado scenario.

The exercise brought together several city agencies and private partners to practice a coordinated response and recovery operation. It helps city leaders look at how emergencies, like tornadoes, can test local infrastructure.

While tornadoes in Denver are rare, according to the National Weather Service (NWS), there have been 19 tornadoes recorded in the county since 1950.

NWS Boulder Meteorologist Paul Schlatter said most of the recorded tornadoes are on the weaker side — EF-0 or EF-1 tornadoes that can knock down trees, snap power poles, and cause minor damage to homes.

“Definitely a threat to life and property, even if it's an EF-0 or EF-1 tornado