It’s fall, y’all! Labor Day is fast approaching, which means autumn is essentially here. To celebrate this momentous occasion, let us break out our scarves and PSLs and scope out when to see fall colors in Colorado. Our good friends at Smoky Mountains do the honor of releasing a fall foliage map every year, so let’s take a look and see what the Colorado fall foliage map says this year:
Each year, Smoky Mountains releases an interactive Fall Foliage Prediction Map, a guide showing the forecasted timeline for changes to the autumn landscape as the season progresses.
Mark Land/Flickr Colorado fall foliage is absolutely breathtaking. Plan your autumn adventures early and absorb this state’s exquisite beauty!
As per their 2022 map, Colorado’s fall foliage should be minimal to patchy in mid-September…
Smoky Mountains
…and we will see peak to near-peak foliage in Colorado by mid-October.
Smoky Mountains
Though parts of Colorado will still be a colorful wonderland later in the month, the foliage is predicted to be “past peak” for much of the state after early November.
Smoky Mountains
Obviously, no predictions can be 100% correct, but the map gives us a pretty good idea of where the best fall colors can be found, which - surprise! - is throughout our beautiful mountains.
Urbanicgroup/Flickr
Don’t live in the mountains? No problem - you will still see vibrant colors, too! They’ll peak a week or so later than in the mountainous areas and will stick around a bit longer in October.
Michael Levine-Clark/Flickr
So, what causes the changing of the leaves? Once the temperature and sunlight change, chlorophyll in the leaves breaks down, which makes the green hues disappear.
Richard Saxon/Flickr
If you want to make the most out of autumn this year, we recommend checking out our beautiful Colorado fall foliage road trip, which hits some of the best places to see fall colors in Colorado!
Bryce Bradford/Flickr
The people at Smoky Mountains created the Fall Foliage Prediction Map for users to be able to see when and where in their state fall foliage will be looking its absolute best.
Smoky Mountains The map above shows the fall foliage predictions for October 3rd. As you can see, change is thought to be well underway by now, so you’ll want to plan a road trip quickly (if we can make the suggestion).
Mark Land/Flickr
Colorado fall foliage is absolutely breathtaking. Plan your autumn adventures early and absorb this state’s exquisite beauty!
Smoky Mountains
Urbanicgroup/Flickr
Michael Levine-Clark/Flickr
Richard Saxon/Flickr
Bryce Bradford/Flickr
The map above shows the fall foliage predictions for October 3rd. As you can see, change is thought to be well underway by now, so you’ll want to plan a road trip quickly (if we can make the suggestion).
Discover even more Colorado fall foliage by checking out some of our favorite places to visit in Colorado in the fall.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Colorado Fall Foliage Map September 12, 2022 Tori Jane When do the leaves change color in Colorado? Typically, from mid to late August, you’ll see the leaves around Colorado – especially ones in higher elevations – begin to change. It’s subtle at first, eventually evolving into an outrageously colorful display that rivals the best fall foliage the east coast has to offer. By mid-to-late September and into October, the transformation continues until it reaches an incredible peak in, usually, mid-October. Temperatures will begin dropping steadily from September on until the coldest month of the year – January – arrives. Remember that the higher elevations and northernmost towns and cities will see fall color begin and conclude earlier than the lowlands, so plan accordingly. Where can I find a fall foliage map for Colorado in 2022? Our hands-down favorite resource for fall foliage maps in Colorado is our friends at SmokyMountains.com. What started as a playful, fun thing to do in 2013 quickly evolved into the fascinating (and often correct) algorithms it is now, predicting when and where the best fall color in Colorado (and everywhere else) will be. You’ll find copycat maps across the web, but the one provided by SmokyMountains.com is the all-original source for fall foliage predictions. Where will I find the best fall foliage in Colorado? We’re pretty sure the best fall foliage in Colorado is, well, all of it. Everywhere you turn is sure to be brilliant and vibrant, filled with color, and absolutely worth a visit. Some of our favorite locations for fall colors in Colorado (they don’t call us “Colorful” Colorado for nothing!) include the majestic Rocky Mountain National Park, namely, the Trail Ridge Road. It’s one of the most amazing scenic fall drives in Colorado and is a must for locals and visitors alike. Kebler Pass in Gunnison is a popular spot for landscape photographers looking to catch the color at its best, and the San Juan Skyway is beyond incredible at this time of year. Other amazing places for A+ fall foliage include La Veta Pass, Buffalo Pass, the Dallas Divide, and the to-die-for Front Range foliage spectacle.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Colorado Fall Foliage Map
September 12, 2022
Tori Jane
When do the leaves change color in Colorado? Typically, from mid to late August, you’ll see the leaves around Colorado – especially ones in higher elevations – begin to change. It’s subtle at first, eventually evolving into an outrageously colorful display that rivals the best fall foliage the east coast has to offer. By mid-to-late September and into October, the transformation continues until it reaches an incredible peak in, usually, mid-October. Temperatures will begin dropping steadily from September on until the coldest month of the year – January – arrives. Remember that the higher elevations and northernmost towns and cities will see fall color begin and conclude earlier than the lowlands, so plan accordingly. Where can I find a fall foliage map for Colorado in 2022? Our hands-down favorite resource for fall foliage maps in Colorado is our friends at SmokyMountains.com. What started as a playful, fun thing to do in 2013 quickly evolved into the fascinating (and often correct) algorithms it is now, predicting when and where the best fall color in Colorado (and everywhere else) will be. You’ll find copycat maps across the web, but the one provided by SmokyMountains.com is the all-original source for fall foliage predictions. Where will I find the best fall foliage in Colorado? We’re pretty sure the best fall foliage in Colorado is, well, all of it. Everywhere you turn is sure to be brilliant and vibrant, filled with color, and absolutely worth a visit. Some of our favorite locations for fall colors in Colorado (they don’t call us “Colorful” Colorado for nothing!) include the majestic Rocky Mountain National Park, namely, the Trail Ridge Road. It’s one of the most amazing scenic fall drives in Colorado and is a must for locals and visitors alike. Kebler Pass in Gunnison is a popular spot for landscape photographers looking to catch the color at its best, and the San Juan Skyway is beyond incredible at this time of year. Other amazing places for A+ fall foliage include La Veta Pass, Buffalo Pass, the Dallas Divide, and the to-die-for Front Range foliage spectacle.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Typically, from mid to late August, you’ll see the leaves around Colorado – especially ones in higher elevations – begin to change. It’s subtle at first, eventually evolving into an outrageously colorful display that rivals the best fall foliage the east coast has to offer. By mid-to-late September and into October, the transformation continues until it reaches an incredible peak in, usually, mid-October. Temperatures will begin dropping steadily from September on until the coldest month of the year – January – arrives. Remember that the higher elevations and northernmost towns and cities will see fall color begin and conclude earlier than the lowlands, so plan accordingly.
Where can I find a fall foliage map for Colorado in 2022?
Our hands-down favorite resource for fall foliage maps in Colorado is our friends at SmokyMountains.com. What started as a playful, fun thing to do in 2013 quickly evolved into the fascinating (and often correct) algorithms it is now, predicting when and where the best fall color in Colorado (and everywhere else) will be. You’ll find copycat maps across the web, but the one provided by SmokyMountains.com is the all-original source for fall foliage predictions.
Where will I find the best fall foliage in Colorado?
We’re pretty sure the best fall foliage in Colorado is, well, all of it. Everywhere you turn is sure to be brilliant and vibrant, filled with color, and absolutely worth a visit. Some of our favorite locations for fall colors in Colorado (they don’t call us “Colorful” Colorado for nothing!) include the majestic Rocky Mountain National Park, namely, the Trail Ridge Road. It’s one of the most amazing scenic fall drives in Colorado and is a must for locals and visitors alike. Kebler Pass in Gunnison is a popular spot for landscape photographers looking to catch the color at its best, and the San Juan Skyway is beyond incredible at this time of year. Other amazing places for A+ fall foliage include La Veta Pass, Buffalo Pass, the Dallas Divide, and the to-die-for Front Range foliage spectacle.
