Autumn officially begins on September 22nd with the Fall Equinox, but we’re just days away from the start of meteorological fall on Sept 1st (which is what really matters, if we’re being honest.) And with the weather soon taking us into sweater season, we’re daydreaming about warm-toned leaves, aspen bark, and scenic drives. The atmospheric experts predict that fall colors will peak in the Rocky Mountains between mid and late September, with harvest hues decking the front range trees through late October. 

Ready to plan your autumnal adventure? Here’s a handy guide to timing Colorado leaf peeping just right, the best views, and even some phoneography tips. 

You’ve done the mountain getaways, seen the downtown sights, and taken more Red Rocks selfies than you can count. But what about those hidden gems that are right under your nose? The ones that don’t pop up on every “Top 10” list but deliver all the relaxation, adventure, and local charm you’re craving? It’s time to explore some of the best Denver staycation ideas for a vacay that’s anything but ordinary.

Do you see that? Hanging over the Rockies? A stubborn cloud that keeps threatening to blow past but just lingers over the front range? No, it's not a late summer storm or any storm at all. It's the Denver real estate market, stuck in its own form of the inversion effect. (When warm air rises above cold air but gets trapped by the mountains. [...]