Colorado SunFest 2026 is a daylong event bringing Coloradans together to discuss what makes A Better Colorado. Find out more about specific sessions planned for Friday, May 1 below.
Panel Name: Colorado weather: Always pack a coat
Moderator: Reporter Tracy Ross
Meteorologists Chris Bianchi from 9News, Mike Nelson, formerly with Denver7, and Joel Gratz from OpenSnow will join The Colorado SunFest 2026 lineup to discuss the challenges in predicting temperamental weather in Colorado as well as how to protect yourself.
Chris Bianchi, senior meteorologist, 9News in Denver
Before joining 9News in May 2021, Bianchi worked for Spectrum Networks, and previously was a meteorologist for WeatherNation for six years. He has covered weather for outlets including The Denver Post, the Washington Post, the Boston Herald and the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
Bianchi holds a Broadcasters’ Seal of Approval from the National Weather Association, and is a broadcast ambassador for the American Meteorological Society’s Committee for Hispanic and Latinx Advancement.
He graduated with a degree in Broadcast Journalism from Boston University in 2009, and received a certification in Broadcast Meteorology from Mississippi State University in 2012.
Mike Nelson, former chief metrologist, Denver7
Nelson retired from Denver7 in 2024 after spending 20 years with the station. Prior to joining Denver7, Nelson was a television forecaster for 40 years, and forecasted weather in Colorado for more than 25 years.
Prior to moving to Colorado, he received his degree in Meteorology from the University of Wisconsin and worked at Weather Central, a private weather consulting firm. Nelson partnered with meteorologist Terry Kelly, and together created a computer weather graphics system for television, and helped install TV weather computers at more than 50 TV stations across the country.
Nelson has won 18 Emmy awards for Outstanding Weather Anchor, and was recognized in 2001 by The Colorado Broadcasters Association as “Citizen of the Year.”
Joel Gratz, founding meteorologist & CEO at OpenSnow
Gratz is the founding meteorologist and CEO of OpenSnow, a specialized weather-forecasting platform designed for skiers and snowboarders to track snow conditions.
Before creating OpenSnow, Gratz would use his passion for the mountains and experience of meteorology and report the mountain forecast to an email list in 2007. In 2009, he moved the forecasts online and then in 2010 began a business of reporting weather forecasts and skiing powder before creating OpenSnow with Andrew Murray in 2011.
Gratz earned his Master of Business from University of Colorado’s Leeds School of Business and his Master of Science in Meteorology and Policy from the University of Colorado.
The panel, “Colorado Weather: Always Pack a Coat,” is one of 11 conversations scheduled for Colorado SunFest 2026.
The fourth annual Colorado SunFest is Friday, May 1, at Josef Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs on the University of Denver campus. Tickets for the event are available on The Colorado SunFest event page.
Editor’s note: OpenSnow is a partner of Colorado SunFest 2026
Other Colorado SunFest Sessions
- Keynote Speaker: Dean Baquet, former New York Times executive editor
- How Coloradans are feeling heading into a big election year
- Challenges and solutions fore an aging population
- Housing – Any relief in the high country?
- Exploring 150 years of Statehood
- What is a River: A visual showcase of the Arkansas River
- AI in our lives
- Basic income programs in Denver and beyond
- The future of public service
- Child care: Colorado looking for ways to calm the crisis
Colorado Authors will be available to meet and sign books in the Networking Lounge on the 1st floor.