Fall foliage in Rocky Mountain National Park
Fall 2023 brought a spectacular display of colors to the Colorado Mountains.
The fall weather forecast for Colorado is not exactly favorable in terms of fire danger, but there are good conditions for aspen viewing.
According to the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center, Colorado is expected to experience above-average temperatures and below-average rainfall from September through November.
Dan West, an entomologist with the Colorado State Forest Service based in Fort Collins, said this combination puts a golden light on aspen viewing.
“Conditions are almost perfect for aspen viewing,” he told the Coloradoan on Tuesday, August 27. “Kind of a carbon copy of last year.”
Last year’s abundant moisture in the spring and summer and dry, sunny weather in the fall made for one of Colorado’s best aspen viewing seasons in years.
West said that in flying around the state and checking the condition of the forests over the past few weeks, he has noticed that the monsoon moisture in the mountains is giving the aspen stands a good appearance. He said he has not noticed any color changes in the aspens so far.
Here’s when to expect the best aspen viewing across Colorado
Mr. Aspen, as West is known for his aspen-watching predictions, said that based on his initial assessments, it looks like we can expect an average timing of aspen change across the state.
He said he will know more about this year’s aspen monitoring season in a few weeks after monitoring more trees from the air.
Here are his approximate dates for when the best viewing of aspens begins this year:
- Third week of September: Northern Mountains, including Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests, Rocky Mountain National Park, and the Steamboat Springs area.
- End of September to beginning of October: Interstate 70 corridor, including Vail and the Salida and Colorado Springs areas.
- Second week of October: Southern Colorado, including the San Juan Mountains and Rio Grande River areas.
West said cottonwoods and other trees along the Front Range and Eastern Plains generally peak about two weeks after aspens bloom in the mountains. That usually means around mid-October.
Until this autumn morning: How to avoid the heat and crowds when visiting Rocky Mountain National Park
The Coloradoan will keep you updated throughout the fall viewing season, including offering drives and hikes around Fort Collins and throughout the state to view the fall foliage as conditions change, as well as information on where and when to experience fall elk belling season in and around Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Park.
For a snapshot of statewide fall color peak data, visit this fall color forecast map on the Smoky Mountains website.
