The golden aspen groves and blazing fall color in the Rockies are a spectacular sight. And catching those leaves at peak color can be a transcendent experience. But that’s the challenge. When are the golden aspen going to reach their peak fall color? And where are the best spots for leaf-peeping during the ever-changing weeks of fall? Fortunately, the Fall Foliage Map by SmokyMountains.com has harnessed a whole lot of scientific data to help you find the best fall color in the Pikes Peak region, Colorado and even the entire country.
The map is easy to use. You simply move a slider between every week from Sept. 1 to Nov. 17 and watch the color progression spread across Colorado and the United States. “Our goal is that this data-based, interactive tool will increase the number of people that are able to enjoy peak fall,” says David Angotti, SmokyMountains.com founder and original map creator.
The map includes light outlines of every county in every state, giving some geographic reference. And it’s county by county that the Fall Foliage Map gathers its data — a multitude of data, including historical precipitation, NOAA precipitation forecasts, elevation, actual temperatures, temperature forecasts and average daylight exposure to develop a baseline fall date for each county in the continental United States.
Move the slider above to view the interactive Fall Foliage Map by SmokyMountains.com.
“Next, the model consumes hundreds-of-thousands of additional data points from a variety of government and non-government sources and layers this data over our own historical data from past years,” Angotti says. “Finally, with a high degree of accuracy, the algorithm produces nearly 50,000 date outputs indicating the progression of fall for every county in a graphical presentation that is easy to digest.”
“We introduced a form that allowed end-users to fill out a report of the fall foliage they have experienced in their region. These reports have helped us identify both strengths and weaknesses in the previous model and we were able to refine it using the end-user data on top of our usual data points,” says Brittany Betts, general manager for the SmokyMountains.com. “We [also] added the ability for end-users to submit photos alongside their fall foliage report. It’s been instrumental in helping us fine tune our data collection for this year.”
As a former airline transport pilot, Angotti was required to fully understand weather patterns and was highly trained in using meteorological tools. He applied those skills and created the Fall Foliage Map for fun in 2013. It took off in popularity and has grown ever since, now reaching viral status when each new annual map releases. It makes a great guide for planning leaf-peeping forays. But Angotti says he has also heard about weddings, movie shoots and school field trips being scheduled around his predictions.
When to Find Peak Fall Color in Colorado
Each year the annual Fall Foliage Map changes. “Similar to a weekend weather forecast, the timing of our map update is important,” Angotti says. “The backbone of the map is meteorology: temperature, moisture, sunlight and precipitation. While meteorology is most accurate immediately before an event, a forecast is more useful to travelers and end users when made in advance.
“With our unique blend of historical and forecast data, we are able to make a highly accurate prediction by the end of August. The drastic year-to-year changes dictate that we create a new map from scratch with new data each year. Our end goal is to produce a map that’s useful and fun.”
So when can we expect to see peak color in Colorado?
It appears peak color in Colorado is trending earlier this year, especially in higher mountain elevations. Gold flecks should be visible in the high country in early September and reaching near peak color by the end of September. Patchy color should begin appearing along the Front Range by late September.
As usual, we should see the beautiful, layered spreas of yellow and orange cascading from the higher mountains down the valleys as the season unfolds.
Broadly speaking, the Fall Foliage team says the vast majority of Colorado will reach peak or near peak around mid -October around October 13-17.
When will Colorado’s first fall color appear?
The foliage map predicts the first patchy color to show up in Colorado by the week of Sept. 1 in Grand County in the north central part of the state. Clear Creek County, Eagle County and Pitkin County won’t be far behind.
By the week of Sept. 15, patchy color should be showing all along the Continental Divide, including Summit County, Eagle County, Larimer County, and Durango and La Plata County in the southwest corner of the state.
The first hints of color should be appearing by Sept. 15 as well in Chaffee, Gunnison, Park, Teller and Fremont Counties. Watch for early hints of gold on Colorado Springs’ Westside and upward toward Pikes Peak and Rampart Range by then too.
Even Boulder, Jefferson, Douglas and Denver Counties should start to see early color by Sept. 15.
The earliest areas to reach prime leaf-peeping peak color should be Grand County and Clear Creek County around Sept. 22-29.
When will Colorado reach peak color for leaf peeping?
High country counties at or nearing peak color by Sept. 29 include the following areas:
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- Larimer County: Fort Collins, Estes Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, Loveland, Berthoud
- Grand County: Grand Lake, Granby, Winter Park, Fraser, Kremmling
- Clear Creek County: Georgetown, Empire, Idaho Springs, Guanella Pass, Grays and Torreys Peaks, St. Mary’s Glacier
- Summit County: Breckenridge, Frisco, Silverthorne, Dillon, Copper Mountain
- Eagle County: Vail, Beaver Creek, Avon, Edwards, Eagle
- Lake County: Leadville, Twin Lakes, Turquoise Lake, Tennessee Pass, Mount Massive, Mount Elbert
- Pitkin County: Aspen, Snowmass and the stunning Maroon Bells
- Boulder County: Boulder, Louisville, Lafayette, Nederland, Lyons
When can I see fall color in Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak region?
In the Pikes Peak Region, minimal and patchy color should be spreading through Teller County, Park County and Fremont County in the Sept. 8-15 range. Those areas should be near peak color by late September and early October. Chaffee County and Gunnison County should follow a similar pattern, although color will arrive and spread earlier as you gain elevation closer to the Continental Divide. Those areas include:
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- Teller County: Woodland Park, Cripple Creek, Victor, Divide, Florissant
- Park County: Lake George, Wilkerson Pass, the Tarryall region, Fairplay
- Chaffee County: Buena Vista, Salida, the Collegiate Peaks
- Lake County: Leadville, Twin Lakes
- Gunnison County: Gunnison, Crested Butte
In Southwest Colorado — including Durango, Silverton, Ridgeway, Ouray and Telluride — color should begin peaking around Sept. 29.
As for Colorado Springs and the southern Front Range, the map indicates we can expect peak color around Oct. 13-20. But color around the higher elevations of the Pikes Peak region — such as Cheyenne Canon, Rampart Range and Pikes Peak itself — should be approaching peak color at least a week or more earlier.
Where to Find Fall Color in Colorado
As for where to head for prime leaf-peeping, we have no shortage of options in Colorado. You can read about our Favorite Fall Color Drives and 12 Creative Ways to Experience Fall Colors. To get out on foot, check out our 10 Favorite Fall Color Hikes In and Around Colorado Springs.
Here are some more of our favorite spots.
Cripple Creek to Cañon City
Sure, the Gold Belt Tour Scenic Byway is named for the gold mining around Cripple Creek and Victor, but you’ll find plenty of gold on the trees on the west side of Pikes Peak between Florissant and Cañon City.
In the same area, Mueller State Park makes an easy and colorful day trip from the Springs for easy hiking, picnicking, horseback riding or even camping.
Buena Vista and Salida
Cottonwood Pass is close enough for a beautiful day trip or easy weekend getaway in Buena Vista or Salida. With a summit of 12,126 feet, Cottonwood is Colorado’s highest paved road crossing the Continental Divide. The Denny Creek Trailhead, right along the road, will lead you — steeply — up 14er Mount Yale or to the beautiful, high alpine Hartenstein Lake. And Cottonwood Hot Springs makes a refreshing stop after a hike. You can read about it in 15 Hot Springs Closest to Colorado Springs.
Breckenridge and Summit County
Boreas Pass provides a golden path to Breckenridge, Frisco or Lake Dillon for a fall festival, day trip, or Summit County getaway — Oktoberfest anyone? The grades on this unpaved, historic stagecoach route are plenty passable for 2WD vehicles. And you can stop and linger on pullouts and trails, such as the historic Bakers Tank, where steam locomotives once took on water to stay cool over the 10,850-foot pass.
Pueblo and Westcliffe
To the south, the Frontier Pathways Scenic Byway offers a gorgeous, and potentially less crowded, route between Pueblo and Westcliffe. You’ll enjoy glowing aspen groves as you pass through the Wet Mountains and take in majestic views of the Sangre de Cristo range from Westcliffe.
Crested Butte and Aspen
Kebler Pass between Crested Butte and Paonia is one of the most stunning spots in Colorado when its vast aspen groves—arguably the world’s largest living organism—are at peak color. And Independence Pass glows with gold as it tops out at 12,095 feet between Twin Lakes and Aspen —before it closes for the winter due to its heavy snow.
The Rest of the United States
If you’re venturing farther afield, the Fall Foliage Map team have updated their Top Places to See Fall Foliage in all 50 States.
Whether you’re hiking, biking, running, camping, soaking, riding horses or taking a scenic drive by car or ATV, you don’t want to miss nature’s annual color show in Colorado. And when you strike aspen gold, you’ll be richer for the experience.
What’s your favorite spot for Colorado fall color?
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This article was updated in September 2025.
