A fall foliage color changing map for Colorado, with approximate peak dates for aspen trees changing. Typically, colors peak in Colorado's northern mountains - the Park, Mummy, Never Summer and Rabbit Ears ranges. Your comprehensive guide for the best places and best times to check out the changing fall foliage in Colorado.
Colorado's fall colors are starting up to 10 days early in 2025. Drought and cool nights are stressing aspen trees, speeding up the change. Find out when and where to catch peak foliage across.
The best fall colors also rely on cool nights and sunny days. The drought has caused trees to consume available moisture early, triggering the color change process. Timing peak aspen colors each fall is an imperfect science, and the ideal time and place one year can turn out to be a disappointment the next.
The reason aspen leaves change, like the leaves of any deciduous tree, is because of a decrease in photosynthetic activity as the days get shorter in the fall. When and where will the leaves change in Colorado. The Fall Foliage Map has predictions for peak color.
We've got picks for leaf. It's time to start planning leaf-peeping trips as the trees and foliage change colors around Colorado this fall, from Aspen and Vail to Denver and Boulder. The weather in Colorado can change quickly and be dramatic, shifting from warmer summer temperatures to a full-blown snowy winter in just a matter of weeks.
The Rocky Mountain region has some of the densest alpine tree forests, making this area a great place to see those fall colors. As I eagerly await the changing leaves in Colorado, I felt inspired to create this guide for fellow adventurers who want to experience Colorado's fall colors in full swing. Dry summers or drought can cause leaves to change faster and fall earlier, sometimes resulting in less vibrant colors.
Sunlight also influences anthocyanin production. Top Colorado Viewing Locations Colorado offers numerous locations to experience its autumn spectacle, predominantly showcasing the shimmering gold of aspen trees.