Leaf Peeping Season

Squaw Pass is ideal for those Denverites short on time. You can begin in either Idaho Springs or Evergreen, via CO 103 and Squaw Pass Road, respectively.

Guanella Pass is full of autumn color on its hour-long journey from I-70 to US 285. It peaks at 11,670 feet, where Mount Evans and Mount Bierstadt hover in the distance.

Trail Ridge Road winds high through the alpine countryside in Rocky Mountain National Park. Colors fill the hillsides and valleys nearly the whole way.

Situated in Steamboat’s backyard, Buffalo Pass offers remarkable views of the rolling Routt National Forest. It begins winding through aspen groves almost immediately on it’s way up to 10,400 feet at Summit Lake.

A seasonal short cut to Aspen, Independence Pass climbs to 12,095 feet, providing stunning vistas around every turn. It’s the second highest pass, with an improved road, in Colorado (behind Cottonwood). It generally closes in early November.

Secluded away in the center of the Rockies, Kebler Pass features lush hillsides of color. You’ll find the most fall foliage on the Paonia side of the pass, although Crested Butte is a town known for its natural beauty. The pass is part of the West Elk Loop, a 205 mile journey through the heart of Colorado.

Highways Of Legends rolls through the southern foothills of Colorado. It’s an often overlooked destination for those up north, but it’s one of the most scenic and welcoming parts of the state. At its peak on the Cuchara Pass, it reaches 9,938 feet, offering fantastic views of the Sangre de Cristos and Spanish Peaks.

The rugged Alpine Loop climbs over two 12,000 foot passes, Engineer and Cinnamon, as well as passes by numerous ghost towns and mining camps, including Capitol City and Animas Forks. The one-of-a-kind route was originally used by 19th century miners working in the remote San Juans.