KUSA - Colorado is one of the best places to witness the change that happens to trees and shrubs in the autumn. The brilliant display of fall leaves that cover the state is primarily regulated by the calendar.
As days grow shorter and nights grow longer, biochemical processes in the leaves cause them to lose their green tint and develop red, orange, gold and brown tints before the leaves fall to the ground.
RELATED FALL COLORS STORY: So why do leaves change color?
Temperature has very little to do with the process. Therefore, it is easy to predict when the color change will occur.
In the mountains, the fall colors generally peak during the final two weeks of September and the first week of October, but this can vary depending on the exact location. The most vibrant color only lasts about a week in most areas.
But where are the best places to drive and see the stunning leaves? 9NEWS Meteorologist Marty Coniglio has compiled a list of the nine best drives to take in Colorado to see the foliage:
1. Trail Ridge Road - U.S. Highway 34 between Estes Park and Granby, traveling through (and over) Rocky Mountain National Park. This road rises to 12,183 feet and has several scenic overlooks for you to take in dramatic vistas throughout the park.
2. Peak to Peak Highway - Colorado highways 119, 72, and 7 from Black Hawk to Estes Park. You can catch the Peak to Peak Highway off of Interstate 70 by taking the Highway 119 exit, of the Central City Parkway exit. There are many spots to pull over and take in superb views of the Continental Divide along with the several stands of colorful quaking Aspen.
3. Boreas Pass between Como and Breckenridge - An old railroad bed, this gravel road offers phenomenal sightseeing both above and with several Aspen groves. You can take Boreas Pass Road off of U.S. Highway 285 in Park County. Or if you're in Summit County, take Boreas Pass Road right off of Colorado Highway 9 on the south side of Breckenridge.
4. Kebler Pass from Crested Butte to Paonia State Park - While this is a longer drive from the Front Range the huge Aspen grove is worth the trip. Kebler Pass Road extends out of Crested Butte, but can also be traveled from Colorado Highway 133 by going Interstate 70 to Glenwood Springs, then south on Colorado 82 to Carbondale. Take Colorado 133 south out of Carbondale to the junction with Kebler Pass Road.
5. Divide to Cripple Creek - On Colorado Highway 67, then take Teller County 1 to Florissant. Good for midseason color and a chance to see some of Colorado's mining history. The Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument is on the way and worth a stop.
6. The Maroon Bells - Perhaps the most photographed location in the state, the Maroon Bells Wilderness has many hiking trails and can be accessed from Aspen on Maroon Creek Road.
7. Guanella Pass from Georgetown to Grant - Can be traveled either way from I-70 to Georgetown and over Guanella Pass Road, or go south on U.S. 285 to Grant and take the pass road back over to Georgetown. Even though it's above treeline, it's worth a stop at the summit to take in the view of Mount Bierstadt (14,065 feet) towering over the east side of the pass.
8. Buffalo Pass - East of Steamboat Springs is lined with rows and rows of Aspen. Summit Lake is another beautiful aspect of this scenic route. Take Routt County Road 36 out of Steamboat Springs to Forest Service Road 60. Don't be surprised to see elk or moose along the way.
9. Kenosha Pass - It's an easy drive from the Denver area south on U.S. Highway 285. The summit has some impressive Aspen groves and there are many hiking trails that take you right in amongst the colorful leaves.
For the latest leaf report, you can always call the U.S. Forest Service Fall Color Hotline at 1-800-354-4595.
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