Denver7 Chief Meteorologist Mike Nelson Honored in U.S. House of Representatives Ahead of Retirement

Denver7 Chief Meteorologist Mike Nelson Honored in U.S. House of Representatives Ahead of Retirement

Denver7 Chief Meteorologist Mike Nelson received a heartfelt tribute on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives Tuesday, just days before his retirement. Two members of Congress, Rep. Eric Sorenson (D-Illinois) and Rep. Yadira Caraveo (D-Colorado), praised Nelson’s four-decade career, including 20 years at Denver7.

A Distinguished Career in Meteorology

“As the only meteorologist in Congress, I rise today to honor one of the best in the career field of atmospheric science,” said Rep. Sorenson. “For decades, Mike was the trusted voice that families turned to for preparation—blizzards, tornadoes, devastating wildfires—Mike tracked them all.”

Nelson began his meteorology career in 1976 with Weather Central, where he developed a groundbreaking weather graphics system for broadcasters, installing it at more than 50 TV stations across the country. This innovation brought the first-ever weather computer to Denver, where Nelson trained local forecasting legend Stormy Rottman and even mentored Al Roker. Today, his system remains the most widely used in the United States.

In 1985, Nelson became Chief Meteorologist at KMOV-TV in St. Louis before returning to Denver in 1991, where he served as Chief Meteorologist at KUSA. In 2004, he joined Denver7, becoming a trusted voice for Colorado weather for nearly two decades.

Recognition and Achievements

“Mike Nelson has become a familiar face and trusted voice for weather in our state, and his impact goes far beyond the screen,” said Rep. Caraveo. “From his early days at Weather Central to pioneering the use of computer weather graphics, Mike has been a trailblazer in his field.”

Among his many accolades, Nelson is one of just 25 weathercasters nationwide—and the only one in Colorado—to be named a Fellow of the American Meteorological Association. He has won 20 Emmy Awards for his weather coverage and was inducted into the Emmy’s Silver Circle in 2016 for 25 years of service in the TV industry. In 2001, Nelson was named the Colorado Broadcasters Association Citizen of the Year for his volunteer work educating the public on weather and climate issues.

A Legacy of Service

Nelson’s contributions extend beyond his professional achievements. His dedication to community education has made a lasting impact on Colorado. “Mike, your decades of dedication, innovation, and community service have made Colorado a better place,” Caraveo remarked.

Rep. Sorenson summed up Nelson’s legacy with a lighthearted forecast from Capitol Hill: “I’m forecasting a sunny and well-deserved retirement ahead. Congratulations, Mike, on a job well done.”

Mike Nelson will deliver his final weathercast for Denver7 on December 12, closing out an extraordinary 40-year career in atmospheric science and broadcasting.