Final answer:
Water boils at a lower temperature in Denver compared to sea level because the atmospheric pressure is lower at high altitudes, reducing the temperature at which water reaches its boiling point.
Step-by-step explanation:
Water boils at a lower temperature in Denver than it does at sea level. This is because Denver is at a higher altitude, around 1600 meters above sea level, where the atmospheric pressure is lower. At lower pressure, the molecules in the liquid can escape into the air more easily, so water does not need to be as hot to reach its boiling point. In sea-level conditions, water boils at 100°C, but in Denver, the boiling point of water is approximately 95°C. Pressure cookers combat this effect by sealing off the cooking environment and allowing the pressure to build up, thus raising the boiling point of water inside and cooking food faster.