When and where to see the most foliage change in Colorado this fall

The autumn colours are just around the corner – and experts expect this year’s spectacle to be truly spectacular.

Dr. Dan West, forest entomologist with the Colorado State Forest Service, said he “expects this to be a record year for fall color.” The monsoon flows in the spring and summer and the drier, warmer days of fall create perfect conditions for autumn colors.

“We want as much sunlight as possible in the fall so the green leaves start to burn and then the orange and yellow tones that are already present in the leaf come out,” West explained. “The forecast just seems perfect.”

He encourages Coloradans to load up a camera, “grab a treasure, have a picnic and just go out and enjoy the time. Take a drive until you find the perfect spot.”

Here are two key resources to help you plan your leaf-viewing adventure: a map of the best viewing locations and a breakdown of peak leaf-viewing dates by county.

A weekly overview of when to expect the most colorful seasons in Colorado