We're thinking of flying back to Denver this fall to see a little bit of autumn color. Anyone have any feeling about when the peak times will be for aspen closer to the Denver metro area? We have a son who is 2 yrs, 3 mos. He can manage a little "hiking" if it's a flat and well worn trail, and he'll tolerate being in the Deuter for 45 mins to an hour, so anything we're able to see will have to be fairly close and easily accessible to Denver, where we'll be staying.

Thanks all!

Late September.

Was up around the James Peak Wilderness yesterday, and the apens in the area were just starting to turn. I'd give it 10-14 more days.

was at Bassam Ridge and Kenosha Pass a week ago - would give it another week

The Elk and Sawatch mountains are near peak right now. Of course, with aspens it varies from stand to stand; on Saturday on the way to Conundrum Hot Springs I saw some still green, and others with their leaves gone. The frosty nights over the past few days should definitely move things along!

AlexeyD wrote: The frosty nights over the past few days should definitely move things along!

Frost does not speed up the changing of the leaves, but it does increase the speed that the leaves fall from the trees. Changing of the leaves is mostly caused by the length of the day, not by the weather. How long the leaves last and how good the colors are does depend on weather.