Attention, Front Range leaf-lovers: As drought conditions in Colorado disrupt the timing of the annual fall-colors explosion, the aspens in Clear Creek County are ready to inspire awe.
“They’re beautiful,” said Cassandra Carroll, who works at the U.S. Forest Service Visitors Center in Idaho Springs. “They’re not quite at their peak, but there are big patches on Guanella Pass. Then going up (Highway) 103 toward Mount Evans, the colors are definitely changing. It is really pretty already. I would say this weekend is going to be really good and the following weekend. Then I think it’s going to be totally done.”
For those who want to get out this weekend, Guanella Pass is located 11 miles south of Georgetown (exit 228 on Interstate 70). For additional aspen-gazing on the way back to Denver, take exit 218 (Idaho Springs) and proceed south on Colorado 103 up to Echo Lake. Stay on 103 as it heads east over Squaw Pass and descends to Bergen Park. Then take Colorado 74 back to Interstate 70.
In typical years, the change in aspen leaves from green to yellow, orange and red begins in the north and progresses south. This year is not so typical, though, because of the drought.
Patti Lindquist, a wildlife tech for the Forest Service district based in Steamboat Springs, said that part of the state seems to be following more normal timing for changes in the aspen, and “it’s still kind of early for fall colors.” But changes have come early to the San Juans in Southwestern Colorado, which has been hit hardest by the drought.
Nick Keeler, who works in visitor information services for the San Juan Mountains Association, said there is quite a bit of color near the Purgatory ski resort and on Molas Pass, where entire stands are starting to turn.
“It’s definitely early and not necessarily keeping its color,” Keeler said. “It will start to turn yellow for a week or two, then turn brown and the leaves will start falling off. We’re thinking it’s not going to be a good year for aspen trees turning color.”
Kelly Jensen, a visitor information assistant for the Forest Service in Minturn, said the aspen have been changing slowly in the Vail area over the past couple of weeks and are not at their peak.
The timing of fall colors is based on elevation, latitude, light, temperature and moisture.
“Trees start shutting down at the end of the season,” explained Jeff Underhill, associate director of science and data for the Colorado State Forest Service. “They stop producing chlorophyll, which is the food. Chlorophyll filters light in a certain way where they appear green. Once that shuts down, the leaves start appearing yellow. They’re no longer absorbing bands of light that give the leaves the green appearance.”
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the southwest corner of the state is experiencing “exceptional” drought and 44 percent of the state is seeing “extreme” drought. Lack of moisture puts trees under stress.
“They tend to have fewer resources,” Underhill said, “and they just shut down earlier.”
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