by Michele Kadison

Catch the autumn colors in the Colorado Rockies and you will be witnessing one of the most exquisite and ephemeral phenomena in the American West. Be ready to catch the one or, if you’re lucky, two weeks when the Aspens, Colorado’s emblem trees, turn from red to gold. Fluttering brilliantly in the Alpine breeze, these beautiful trees are a sight to behold, and are the only trees that grow in the higher altitudes of the Colorado Rockies. Once you reach a lower elevation, you will see a wide variety of pines, pinon-junipers, and cottonwood-willow. If you are flexible, it is well worth planning a drive or a hike through your favorite Rockies area, as the entire state turns a russet that matches the vibrant sunsets and dawns.

Why the Leaves Turn to Gold
Indian legend has it that the leaves turn yellow when the celestial hunters cook their meat over an open flame, splattering fat all over the trees. A more pedantic explanation is that at a certain time of the year, leaves stop producing chlorophyll, which nourishes the tree. Once the green pigment fades, the natural yellow color underneath is revealed.

Planning Your Trip
September is the month to get ready for the burst of flame. Plan a trip and then follow the routes that have the color. There are many tour companies that will take you on guided trips throughout some of the best autumnal areas. One is Dee Hive Tours and Transportation, LLC in Leadville, Colorado. Dee Cline, co-owner of this family-run business, will plan a tour for two or more vacationers, picking the best sightseeing routes of the season. The benefit of taking a tour, says Dee, is that you will learn the history of the area while taking in the breathtaking views.

For more information on Dee Hive Tours and Transportation, contact: deehivetranspllc@yahoo.com or call 1-888-266-2339

Here are some amazing Colorado routes that will lead you to brilliant colors contrasting against the blue skies and great mountains of the Colorado Rockies:

Northwest
US 24 over Tennessee Pass between Leadville and Vail

• Colorado 82 over Independence Pass between Twin Lakes and Aspen
• Colorado 65 over Grand Mesa between Mesa and Cedaredge
• Colorado 125 over Willow Creek Pass between Granby and Walden
• Colorado 133 over McClure Pass south of Carbondale
• Maroon Creek Road between Aspen and the Maroon Bells

Southwest

• US 160 between Pagosa Springs and Cortez
• Colorado 145 over Lizard Head Pass between Dolores and Telluride
• Colorado 135 between Crested Butte and Gunnison
• Gunnison County Road 12 over Kebler Pass between Crested Butte and Paonia

South Central

• US 285 over Kenosha Pass between Bailey and Jefferson
• US 50 over Monarch Pass between Salida and Gunnison
• Colorado 306 over Cottonwood Pass between Buena Vista and Taylor Park
• Colorado 67 between Divide and Cripple Creek
• Colorado 149 over Slumgullion Pass between Lake City and Creede
• Rampart Range Road between Sedalia and Woodland Park

Front Range

• Trail Ridge Road (US 34) through Rocky Mountain National Park
• Colorado 119, 72, and 7 (Peak to Peak Highway) between Black Hawk and Estes Park
• Colorado 14 through Poudre Canyon west of Fort Collins
• Guanella Pass Road between Georgetown and Grant

Southeast

• Colorado 12 over Cucharas Pass between Trinidad and Walsenburg

For information on when the fall colors will be at their best, contact the Colorado State Parks website: http://www.parks.state.co.us/Fall/index.asp or call 303- 866-3437 for more information.

Another resource is the US Forest Services’ nationwide hotline: 800-354-4595 or http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/colors/

You can also call the local Chamber of Commerce.

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