Your ultimate guide for Colorado's fall colors (2023)

FAQs

What is the best time to see fall colors in Colorado? ›

Timing when and where to see Colorado's fall colors takes both science and finesse. How do you know when it's time to go? In general, September and early October mark when stands at higher elevation (and those that are farther north) will show colors.

By the end of September, northern Colorado should see changing leaves, then early October for central Colorado and mid to late October for the southern portion of the state. The 2022 fall foliage prediction map predicts similar peak colors.

Gunnison is home to Kebler Pass, which boasts the largest aspen grove in North America and is one of renowned photographer John Fielder's favorite places.

Typically, colors peak in the Colorado's northern mountains throughout the month of September.

Classic leafy views in Maine, New Hampshire, and New York are always a great go-to, but you can also find amazing leaf-changing action in states like Georgia and New Mexico. Oak, ash, maple, and hickory trees transform before your very eyes all over the United States. And every landscape looks like a perfect postcard.

When do Fall Leaves Change Color. Leaves can change their color from as early as mid-September all the way through early November. Typically, the second and third week of October are the peak times, but it shifts depending on where you live and your local weather conditions.

When Do the Aspens Change in Colorado? The peak color of changing aspens only lasts for about a week in Colorado. However, the shoulder weeks bring to the state about a month of golds, greens, oranges, and reds from mid-September to mid-October.

As stated above, typically fall foliage peaks along the northern tier of the country, as well as northern New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, in early October. In the Midwest, Northeast and the rest of New England, fall foliage season usually peaks in mid-to-late October.

Alaska has the earliest leaf change out of all the states. Many forests are evergreen which do not change, but many of the wildlands turn orange and red in September. Coastal areas toward the south see peak colors in early October.

What is the best month to go to aspen? ›

The best time to visit Aspen is from December to February. The town sparkles when it's buried under fresh powder, and its slopes are ready to be taken by storm. Keep in mind that this is the most popular time to visit, so prices will likely be elevated, but you can find some deals if you plan a few months in advance.

Good choice! Autumn in Aspen is inspiring! The vivid fall foliage set against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains and bluebird skies is truly a sight to behold. Cooler temperatures, dwindling crowds, and lower lodging rates make September and October very special times to experience this mountain town.

In a high mountain basin in central Utah stands the world's largest tree, Pando, a quaking aspen clone that spans 106-acres and is made up of over 40,000 genetically identical branches (aka “stems”).

CLOTHES OUT OF STYLE 2022

High waisted jeans, high waisted pants, high waist tennis skirts, skater skirts, knit pants, skinny jeans, hoodie sets, short blazers, leggings, fur coats, cropped leather jacket, A-style mini dresses, and cold shoulders are some of the favourite clothes out of fashion for fall 2022.

According to fashion's top designers, we're in for a very regal 2022. Just look at the color palette! Royal purple, jewel-tone teal, and burning red are all trending hues incorporated on the Fall/Winter 2022 runways, each with its glamorous style.

Fall Colors

Whether you visit during peak leaf-peeping season or not (usually late September, depending on the year), fall is a beautiful time of year to visit Estes Park. You'll see bright yellows and oranges throughout town, on the trails at Rocky Mountain National Park, or along the Peak-to-Peak Highway.

When does fall officially begin? Astronomical fall began at 9:04 p.m. ET on Thursday, September 22, 2022, in the Northern Hemisphere, according to AccuWeather. This time also marks the beginning of spring the Southern Hemisphere.

October weather in Colorado is beautifully clear and dry with occasional rain and snow. Average high temperatures tend to be in the low 70's°F (21°C) and average low temperatures hover around 45°F (7°C). You'll typically see the highest temps in the afternoon with the nights always cooling off throughout your trip.

#1 Vermont

Vermont's fall foliage season is the longest in the United States, starting in early September and ending around late October.

Where is the prettiest place to go in the fall? ›

Areas where warm temperatures persist can see fall colors arrive later than normal, especially if they've had near-average amounts of rainfall. And right now, the U.S. is coming off its third-hottest summer on record, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Dry conditions are another factor.

Although people often rake and bag leaves to prevent their lawns from being smothered and to make yards look better, in most cases, you're fine not moving them. In fact, many environmental experts say raking leaves and removing them from your property is not only bad for your lawn but for the environment as a well.

Excessive leaf matter on your lawn going into winter is bad for several reasons. First, it will smother the grass and if not removed very soon in the spring it will inhibit growth. Second, it can promote the snow mold diseases. And finally, turf damage from critters (voles, mice) can be more extensive in the spring.

Forest tent caterpillars and large aspen tortrix eat aspen leaves, and periodic outbreaks may defoliate entire aspen canopies in early summer (Figure 2). Aspen trees commonly live for more than 100 years, with the oldest trees reaching 200 or more years.

Birch are famous for having bark that peels back like paper; aspen bark does not peel. Whereas aspen leaves are perfectly flat, birch leaves are slightly "V" shaped and more elongated than Quaking Aspen leaves.

Starting in mid-September, expect to see aspens turning gold at elevations from 8,000 to 10,000 above sea level. Later in the season in October to mid-November, you can see spectacular color down in the foothills and along the plains in Denver.

Red maple is one of the best named of all trees, featuring something red in each of the seasons—buds in winter, flowers in spring, leafstalks in summer, and brilliant foliage in autumn.

Most tree-lovers would likely agree that the most spectacular yellow fall colour in a large tree comes from the ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba). Given that the tree is dioecious and the female produces smelly fruit, most nurseries sell only male forms. To see a tall, old ginkgo in full autumn regalia is simply breathtaking…. ….

What tree turns purple in the fall? ›

What's great about the Purple Autumn Ash? The tiny dark green leaves turn to become a unique shade of dark purple! This color is quite rare among all trees, and especially unique as an autumn color.

The average price of a 7-day trip to Aspen is $3,246 for a solo traveler, $5,830 for a couple, and $10,929 for a family of 4. Aspen hotels range from $97 to $417 per night with an average of $203, while most vacation rentals will cost $300 to $1000 per night for the entire home.

One week in Aspen feels like the most ideal amount of time (at a minimum) if you want to indulge in the many different activities Aspen has to offer.

DON'T BE A GAPER

Clunking around in ski boots during après, donning a backpack on the hill, wearing a bright-colored one-piece ski suit, and tucking on a catwalk while sticking your poles under your arms and straight up in the air like you medaled in Sochi—these are classic tourist signals.

If you prefer quiet and less crowded vacations, Aspen is the right place for you. However, if you love a more party-like atmosphere, Vail is the ultimate destination. Choosing between Aspen and Vail according to their crowds depends totally on your nature and what you personally prefer.

Vail has one large mountain while Aspen has four smaller mountains. Vail is unique because of its back bowls, a seven-mile-wide ski slope. If you love untamed skiing, this is a great opportunity. Aspen gives you the choice of four different mountains, and each offers something different.

Most people prefer Aspen for its Maroon Bells and skiing trails, while Denver has a better variety of recreational spots. Regardless of whichever destination you choose, make sure to choose Blue Sky Limo for your shuttle service from DIA to Aspen.

Colorado. That's because we have more aspen trees in thicker concentrations than anywhere else in the U.S., from 5,000 feet in elevation where desert meets foothills to 12,000 feet above sea level, high in the mountains.

Aspens grow in groups called stands, and within these stands, a single tree will spread by sprouting new stems from its roots, often several feet from the original trunk.

Yes, Aspen wood is a hardwood. But it is not hard as Oak, Maple, and Cherry woods. Aspen wood has a hardness rating of 420 lbf (1,868 N) which is relatively lower than most hardwoods.

› how-to › enjoy-aspen › seasons ›

Fall | Aspen

https://aspenchamber.org › how-to › enjoy-aspen › seasons

https://aspenchamber.org › how-to › enjoy-aspen › seasons

Inspire Your Fall Trip ... One of the most spectacular times of the year in Aspen, fall days are filled with sunshine and nights with crisp cool air. Valleys fu...

Fall Guide | Things to Do Aspen Snowmass in Fall

https://www.aspensnowmass.com › experiences › guides

https://www.aspensnowmass.com › experiences › guides

Favorite fall activities range from mountain biking through the trees, hiking into the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, visiting historic sites (which take on ...

Generally speaking, anything above 8,500 feet will be the first to change, usually in mid-September. Trees below that elevation will take an extra few weeks to get their colors around early October and fade in early November.

Fall in Colorado typically runs in September and early October above 8,500 feet in elevation (that is, in the mountains), and from late September to early November below 8,500 feet.

In general, the best time to visit Colorado is June through October, when visitors can enjoy Colorado's scenery with hiking trails, water sports, and drives through high-elevation mountain passes. Although lower elevations can get hot in summer, you can always escape to the mountains to cool off on sweltering days.

MID-SEPTEMBER TO EARLY OCTOBER ABOVE 9,500 FEET

There are aspen groves at all elevations along the trail, offering a good chance of seeing color somewhere on the mountainsides. Rocky Mountain National Park , about one hour and thirty minutes from Denver, has many groves of high aspens around Bear Lake.

When does fall officially begin? Astronomical fall began at 9:04 p.m. ET on Thursday, September 22, 2022, in the Northern Hemisphere, according to AccuWeather. This time also marks the beginning of spring the Southern Hemisphere.

Connecticut boasts the longest-lasting fall foliage season.

Connecticut may be the third-smallest state in the US by square miles, but it's the state with the longest-lasting fall foliage season, making for captivating views at just about every corner.

October weather in Colorado is beautifully clear and dry with occasional rain and snow. Average high temperatures tend to be in the low 70's°F (21°C) and average low temperatures hover around 45°F (7°C). You'll typically see the highest temps in the afternoon with the nights always cooling off throughout your trip.

In fact, Centennial State has ranked the 7th snowiest state in the US. As far as when it snows here, it can occur in any given month, however, snow is more likely to be seen from October through April. When and how much it snows in Colorado depends greatly on location.

What month does Colorado get the most snow? ›

The month where Denver historically sees the most snowfall is March with an average of 11.3 inches. This is by far the snowiest month on average with April's average still a few inches behind. April brings 8.8 inches of snow to Denver and December comes in third with an average of about 8 inches.

Cheapest Time to Visit Colorado

If you're sticking to a strict budget, you should go during the “shoulder seasons” between peak tourism seasons. The cheapest time to visit Colorado is usually late spring (April to May) and early fall (September to October).

Southern Colorado, such as Pueblo, the San Juan and Sangre de Cristo mountains, and the Four Corners Region typically see peak fall colors in early October. So if you're after colorful displays of changing leaves, be sure to head to the southern part of the state.

Seasons change from year to year, but generally peak aspen viewing is mid- to late September for the northern mountains, the third week of September into second week of October for the central mountains and late September to mid-October for the southern mountains.

THE MONTH STARTS WITH A NORMAL HIGH OF 72 DEGREES AND ENDS WITH A NORMAL HIGH OF 59 DEGREES. FOR LOW TEMPERATURES, THE MONTH BEGINS WITH A NORMAL OF 42 DEGREES AND TRENDS BELOW THE FREEZING MARK TO FINISH WITH A NORMAL OF 31.

If you have the opportunity to travel in the fall, September and October are two of the best months to head to Denver. In the mountains, the aspens start changing to gold which is a wonderful day drive. The temps drop just a bit making it so easy to bike around town. And the city celebrates all things food and beer.