DENVER - The chilly nights in the high country are leading to changing leaves. As the days grow shorter and nights grow longer, biochemical processes in the leaves cause them to lose their green blanketing the Rocky Mountains in brilliant tints of red, orange, and gold.
The best times to view Colorado "gold" are generally during the final two weeks of September and the first week of October. Trees in the northern part of the state will turn earlier than those in the southern parts with the most vibrant colors lasting only about a week in most areas. Several mountain passes are already showcasing colorful aspen groves - could be worth a weekend drive! The following is a list of various Colorado mountain drives that are ideal for viewing the changing colors.
UPLOAD YOUR FALL COLORS PHOTOS HERE
SOUTHERN & SOUTH CENTRAL MOUNTAIN DRIVES
Cochetopa Pass
Between Saguache and Gunnison
Colorado 135
Between Crested Butte and Gunnison
Cottonwood Pass
West of Buena Vista
Colorado 67
Through Cripple Creek North of Divide
Colorado 550
Ridgeway south through Ouray and Silverton to Durango
Cucharas Pass
Colorado 12 from Trinidad to Walsenburg
Frontier Pathways Scenic and Historic Byway
West out of Pueblo on Colorado 96
Gold Camp Road
The best times to view Colorado "gold" are generally during the final two weeks of September and the first week of October. Trees in the northern part of the state will turn earlier than those in the southern parts with the most vibrant colors lasting only about a week in most areas. Several mountain passes are already showcasing colorful aspen groves - could be worth a weekend drive! The following is a list of various Colorado mountain drives that are ideal for viewing the changing colors.
UPLOAD YOUR FALL COLORS PHOTOS HERE
SOUTHERN & SOUTH CENTRAL MOUNTAIN DRIVES
Cochetopa Pass
Between Saguache and Gunnison
Colorado 135
Between Crested Butte and Gunnison
Cottonwood Pass
West of Buena Vista
Colorado 67
Through Cripple Creek North of Divide
Colorado 550
Ridgeway south through Ouray and Silverton to Durango
Cucharas Pass
Colorado 12 from Trinidad to Walsenburg
Frontier Pathways Scenic and Historic Byway
West out of Pueblo on Colorado 96
Gold Camp Road
