Fall Color Already?

Higher elevation Aspens are already beginning to change color.

Colorado's famed Aspen's are already beginning to change. During normal years, peak season is around mid-September in the northern part of Colorado and the higher mountain peaks. About a month later is the best time to visit the southern Colorado viewing spots like Pagosa Springs. Ultimately, it's Mother Nature that makes the call.

Apparently, there's are a couple factors at work. Colorado's ongoing drought is impacting the situation. "Drought Stress" can cause leaves to change and fall early. Nearly all of Colorado has been under some type of drought designation. The less than normal snowpack hurt the situation as well. You may have seen the reports of snow a week or so ago in the high country. It's a fact. Wet snow did come down up near the I-70 tunnels at Keystone as well as the Arapahoe Basin. This cold snap helped jump-start the Aspen change.

You may want to bump up your Aspen viewing weekend a week or so earlier than usual. The "peak season" for this annual phenomenon will be earlier this year.

Credit: Out There Colorado