After the rainfall we've had this year - Colorado's leaf-peeping season will deliver some of the most vibrant and colorful leaves we've seen in years! According to the Farmers' Almanac, the Front Range can anticipate peak season and color to hit the Centennial state as early as mid-September into mid-October.
Clever Tips to Confirm Leaf Colors are Poppin'
Timing and planning are essential when it comes to a successful leaf-peeping adventure. Depending on elevations and weather patterns, different areas of Colorado hit peak season at different time frames.
- Northern Mountains: early to late September
- Front Range: mid to late-September
- Central Mountains: end of September into early October
- Southern Mountains: early to mid-October
Use Instagram's geotag feature to find recent color updates.
While not foolproof, use your detective skills to guarantee a successful fall trip. How to search:
- Search the desired locationlick œplaces
- Pick the most relevant location from the list
- Explore the area's most recent photos
Local News Station and Website Resources
Several local news stations and outlets, like KUSA Channel 9 News, typically release foliage heat maps to showcase current activity/timing. Additional organizations such as Smoky Mountains put together an annual map (2022 available/2023 in progress) as well - based on data submitted locally. They are not updated regularly with incoming data, so keep that in mind when using their map. Colorado is unique in that it has experienced the occasional surprise early-fall deep freeze or snowstorm - upending the fall foliage season for a specific area.
Where You'll See Fall Colors in Colorado:
Within 1 hour of Denver:
- Guanella Pass
- Kenosha Pass
- Mt. Evans Scenic Byway
- Peak to Peak Highway
- Rocky Mountain National Park
- Winter Park
- Golden Gate Canyon State Park
Within 2 hours of Denver:
- Boreas Pass
- Breckenridge
- Fairplay
- Grand Lake
- Hoosier Pass
- Tennessee Pass
- Vail
Within 3-4 hours of Denver:
- Aspen
- Buena Vista
- Crested Butte
- Cripple Creek
- Dallas Divide
- Grand Mesa
- Independence Pass
- Kebler Pass
- Million Dollar Highway
- Monarch Pass
- Rabbit Ears Pass
- Steamboat
- Twin Lakes
Within 5-6 hours of Denver:
- Telluride
- Highway of Legends
- La Veta Pass
Leaf-peeping season is the perfect excuse to get out into the mountains and enjoy the Colorado scenery without the headache of winter. If you're ever interested in learning more about Colorado's mountain towns as a potential spot for a real estateinvestment, don't hesitate to reach out. We've got neighborhood experts across the state and country who can help make your dreams into a reality.
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