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A friend of mine is heading to a conference in Las Vegas in May, so we're considering going to Red Rocks beforehand but aren't sure about the weather. We've heard that June-August is "psychotically hot" even in the canyons. Does anyone know how hot it tends to get in mid-May? Is it worth going or is it almost certain to be too hot? Are there shady crags or canyons that are still cooler then that have moderate routes (up to 5.8 trad, 5.10 sport)?

You can still climb in the canyons and at shady crags up to June. You just need plenty of water due to the hike and to the dryness of the air. For May I would suggest an entire gallon for a day at Red Rock.

Try these crags out:

Willow Springs - Hidden Falls area / Ragged Edges (trad)
Wake Up Wall (sport)
Stone Wall (sport)
Black Velvet -Froglands / anything else you feel like (trad)
Pine Creek - Dark Shadows and surrounding area (trad)
Waterworld - if you can get to it, it's not in Red Rock (sport)
Conundrum (sport)
Icebox Canyon - even the sunny walls should be fine (trad)
...and many more

Hit the higher elevation limestone areas and you will be fine. Chase routes in the shade like Yeti pointed out. Red Rocks kicks ass, dont let the May weather scare you off.

`It's also been colder then normal across the country, so the temps should be a bit milder

I climbed in the balck corridor last July. If you chase the shade you will be fine. You can find some nice moderate sport routes in the black corridor as well.

Like RRO said, you should check out Charleston. If you're going to be in Vegas on a weekend, get a hold of me. I'm usually up at Charleston every weekend.

Mid May should be perfect.
We were ther in late April/Early May, and while it was hot a few days, you can always chase the shade.

I've camped near there several different Mays. It can get ugly cold at night but the days were fantastic. Khaki's and a t-shirt were perfect for hard hiking and a sweatshirt was nice in the shade.

Have fun!