Updated 9/23/24 at 8:04 a.m.
Fall colors have started to hit the high Rockies— and experts anticipate this year's display to be truly spectacular.
Dr. Dan West, a Colorado State Forest Service entomologist, said he's "expecting for this to be a banner year for fall foliage." The monsoonal flows through the spring and summer and drier, warmer fall days create perfect conditions for fall colors.
He said the season's timing may feel later than usual, but it's actually "back to average...compared to some of the years past."
For optimal colors, West explained, "We want the most amount of sunlight that we can get in the fall to start to burn off the green colors that are within these leaves, and that then shows all of the oranges and yellows that are already in the leaf. This year, "The forecast looks like it's sitting just perfect" to create this effect.
He encourages Coloradans to charge a camera, "grab your sweetie and grab a picnic and just go enjoy. Go for a drive until you find that perfect little spot."
Here are two key resources to help you plan your leaf-peeping adventure: a map of the best viewing locations and a county-by-county breakdown of peak leaf-peeping dates.
Hover over orange dots for more information. Best used on a desktop device.
When to expect peak fall colors across Colorado
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