Viewing fall colors is best in certain areas of Colorado.
With its vast expanses of prairie and sweeping views of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado is one of the highlights of the Western United States. Like with other areas of the country, the state has its spots where the shine the best of all. Some parts of Colorado will be strong early in the fall, while late fall will change the color patterns across the state.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Located 1 1/2 hours northwest of Denver outside the city of Estes Park, this park features sweeping vistas in the lower sections and strong colors in the upper elevations. The best way to view these colors is Trail Ridge Road (U.S. 34), which goes from Estes Park southwest to the resort community of Winter Park. Elevations on Trail Ridge exceed 12,000 feet, so some of the highest elevations may have snowfall even though it is late September or early October.
Front Range
The front range of the Rocky Mountains, especially in the area around Denver and Boulder, affords you a chance to see vibrant colors without going too far outside the central part of the state. Some of the canyon areas northwest of Boulder, including Chautauqua Park and Eldorado Canyon State Park, are popular with locals and tourists, so you should feel right at home. Most areas on the western edge of Denver and Boulder afford dramatic views of the Rockies front range, which include fall foliage of different colors.
Pikes Peak and Colorado Springs
Just like Denver, the front range of the Rockies can be seen from all areas of Colorado Springs, and the early fall period affords you a chance to see foliage of different colors. The 100-mile trek west and north from Colorado Springs via U.S. 24 features colorful foliage all the way from to Buena Vista, but there are several vantage points in between where you can stop and watch the fall colors without going along the entire highway.
Peak to Peak Highway
This road, which features sections of Colorado highways 7, 72 and 119, travels between Estes Park and the Black Hawk/Central City area west of Denver. With elevations reaching as high as 14,000 feet, you can see trees and foliage all around that contain hues of orange, red and yellow at the appropriate times of year. The road ends in the Black Hawk area, which has been restored from its Old West background via casino gambling. Instead of mines and a gold rush, gamblers can mine for gold at glittery casinos following color tours.
Maroon Bells
Located less than hour southeast of Glenwood Springs via Interstate 70 and Colorado 82 and 13, Maroon Bells is part of the Maroon Lake Park area. The lake sits in a bowl with mountains all around and foliage on the lower part of the hills. This area is particularly popular with photographers who love to shoot pictures between sunrise and the noon hour. Photos of this area are appealing to look at because of the water reflection and the high hills of western Colorado.
Tags: Colorado Springs, Estes Park, fall colors, front range, affords chance, , Black Hawk