When you think about the fall, you probably think about pumpkin spice lattes, Halloween, Thanksgiving, colder weather, and, of course, the changing leaves. People travel from around the world to go leaf peeping at the best sites in the country. New England and New York are probably the most popular areas for checking out the vibrant colors created by the fall leaves but Colorado has plenty of bright colors as well, especially when the aspens start to change. Here’s a look at the fall foliage forecast for Colorado.
Colorado Fall Foliage Forecast
The state will begin to see color changes among the trees by September 10th, with ExploreFall.com forecasting low color in the mountains. Select areas higher in the mountains may see some moderate color changes by then, but nothing too remarkable.
By September 20th, fall colors will have grown throughout the mountains. Moderate color changes will be visible in many areas, and high color changes will be visible the higher peaks. Some regions, especially south of Aspen, will be seeing peak colors.
Come September 30th, a majority of the mountains will either be in Peak Colors or past their peak. Drives along I-70 will be full of color, with areas like Silverthorne, Vail, and Avon at the peak.
By October 10th, a majority of the Colorado mountains will be past their peak. In the Foothills and on the state’s Western Slope, colors may be reaching high color or their peak. Along the I-70 corridor, Glenwood Springs will be right around the peak.
What Controls The Timing of Fall Foliage?
Two major factors influence the timing of fall foliage: temperature and daylight. As the days grow shorter, leaves slow the process of photosynthesis to a halt and leaves begin to lower their concentrations of chlorophyll. Less concentrated chemicals like anthocyanin and carotenoids dominate, causing the leaves to change color. The further north and the higher in elevation a tree, the sooner it begins to show its fall colors.
Image Credit: ExploreFall.com
