Colorado fall colors forecast 2023: When and where to see peak colors

Phil Rankin
·3 min read

DENVER (KDVR) — It’s time to start planning trips to see the best fall colors in Colorado, with the season of changing leaves arriving. The Pinpoint Weather team is out with its forecast of when you can expect peak colors across the state.

Colorado is having one of its wettest years on record. All that rain may have set the state up for a particularly vivid year for fall foliage.

When can you expect to take a weekend trip to see the best of fall in Colorado? The peak colors are set to start showing in parts of the state by mid-September.

When will fall colors peak in Colorado in 2023?

Map of Colorado peak fall colors forecast
A map of the 2023 forecast as of Sept. 1 for peak fall colors in Colorado. (FOX31 KDVR)

The Pinpoint Weather team has put out these dates for peak color as of Sept. 1. But keep in mind, a change in the weather over the coming days and weeks could adjust the timing.

  • Sept. 15-30:
    Rocky Mountain National Park, Steamboat Springs, Flat Tops

  • Sept. 17-Oct. 1:
    Vail, Summit County, Aspen, Gunnison, Grand Mesa

  • Sept. 19-Oct. 3:
    San Juan Mountains, Sangre De Cristo Mountains

  • October:
    Denver area

Photo gallery of fall colors in Colorado

  • Fall colors near Dillon (Dara Bitler)
    Fall colors near Dillon (Dara Bitler)
  • Aspen forest in autumn with fall colors of gold, yellow, blue, white, yellow in San Juan NAtional Forest outside of Ouray and Silverton on the Million Dollar Highway. (Getty Images)
    Aspen forest in autumn with fall colors of gold, yellow, blue, white, yellow in San Juan NAtional Forest outside of Ouray and Silverton on the Million Dollar Highway. (Getty Images)
  • Street in Aspen town at autumn, Colorado (Getty Images)
    Street in Aspen town at autumn, Colorado (Getty Images)
  • Crystal Reservoir in the fall with Pikes Peak in the background (Getty Images)
    Crystal Reservoir in the fall with Pikes Peak in the background (Getty Images)
  • Maroon Bells, Aspen, Colorado during the aspen leaves changing colors for the fall. (Getty Images)
    Maroon Bells, Aspen, Colorado during the aspen leaves changing colors for the fall. (Getty Images)
  • Autumn Sunrise in the San Juan Mountain Range (getty images)
    Autumn Sunrise in the San Juan Mountain Range (getty images)
  • Winding mountain road and autumn landscape with vibrant fall colors near Gunnison, Colorado. (Getty Images)
    Winding mountain road and autumn landscape with vibrant fall colors near Gunnison, Colorado. (Getty Images)
  • A bull moose standing in willow bushes in Colorado (Getty Images)
    A bull moose standing in willow bushes in Colorado (Getty Images)
  • Autumn views near Telluride Colorado Scenic Highway 145 Rocky Mountains (Getty Images)
    Autumn views near Telluride Colorado Scenic Highway 145 Rocky Mountains (Getty Images)
  • Abandon Crystal Mill in Colorado mountain in falls, Crystal, CO (Getty Images)
    Abandon Crystal Mill in Colorado mountain in falls, Crystal, CO (Getty Images)
  • Road-Rocky Mountain road in the fall-Near Aspen Colorado (Getty Images)
    Road-Rocky Mountain road in the fall-Near Aspen Colorado (Getty Images)
  • A gondola at Telluride Mountain in Colorado during fall colors (Getty Images)
    A gondola at Telluride Mountain in Colorado during fall colors (Getty Images)
  • Colorado’s iconic Maroon Bells at autumn (Getty Images)
    Colorado’s iconic Maroon Bells at autumn (Getty Images)
  • A golden aspen grove in the Maroon Bells area of Colorado (Getty Images)
    A golden aspen grove in the Maroon Bells area of Colorado (Getty Images)
  • Aspen trees in the Fall along Shrine Pass Road near Vail, Colorado. (Getty Images)
    Aspen trees in the Fall along Shrine Pass Road near Vail, Colorado. (Getty Images)
  • Golden Autumn Aspen on Last Dollar Road near Telluride Colorado (Getty Images)
    Golden Autumn Aspen on Last Dollar Road near Telluride Colorado (Getty Images)
  • San Juan Mountains in the Background in Autumn on a cloudy day (Getty Images)
    San Juan Mountains in the Background in Autumn on a cloudy day (Getty Images)
  • Fall colors near Dillon (Dara Bitler)
    Fall colors near Dillon (Dara Bitler)
  • Fall colors near Dillon (Dara Bitler)
    Fall colors near Dillon (Dara Bitler)
  • Fall colors near Dillon (Dara Bitler)
    Fall colors near Dillon (Dara Bitler)

More about fall in Colorado

If you don’t want to miss any of what autumn has to offer, check out FOX31’s Ultimate Denver Fall Guide 2023. Here are some recent stories to get you ready for the season.

This Colorado town ranks as one of best fall vacation getaways

When does fall start in Denver? Well, it depends

Orchards still offering apple picking for fall 2023

More articles will be coming in the fall guide as the season continues.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com.