Colorado Springs, Colorado Frost Dates, Growing Season & Hardiness Zone
Frost odds and planting zone for Colorado Springs for the 2027 season, based on 1991–2020 normals.
Last frost date
May 3
typical (50% chance of a later 32°F night)
Safer date: May 15 (10% risk)
earlyMay 3
typicalMay 15
safer
First fall frost
Oct 8
typical (50% chance it has happened by then)
Early-risk date: Sep 26 (10%)
Growing season
158 days
typical frost-free (32°F) season
Short year: 140 days (1 year in 10 is shorter)
USDA hardiness zone
5b–6a
2023 map: -15 to -5°F average coldest night
2012 map: 5b (most of the city)
Where you live in the metro matters. The typical last frost ranges from May 3 at Colorado Springs Municipal Airport to May 17 at Monument 3 S.
By May 3, half of years have seen their last 32°F night. A later freeze, after May 15, happens in 1 year out of 10.
Based on NOAA station Colorado Springs Municipal Airport (USW00093037), 5.5 mi SE, elevation 6,181 ft (−157 ft vs. city center). Confidence: High.
When is the last frost in Colorado Springs?
The typical last 32°F night is May 3, and in 1 year out of 10 a freeze still comes after May 15. Cold 36°F nights (frost possible on plants) typically last longer, to around May 14. The last hard freeze (28°F) typically comes earlier, around Apr 24.
The typical date (May 3) and the safer 1-in-10 date (May 15) are 12 days apart. If you plant in between, you're taking a chance; watch the 10-day forecast.
The typical last 36°F night (frost possible on plants in low spots) comes around May 14, 11 days after the typical last 32°F night. On clear, calm nights, frost can form on leaves even when the thermometer reads above freezing.
| Threshold | 10% (safer) | 30% | 50% (typical) | 90% (early) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F (frost possible on plants) | May 26 | May 18 | May 14 | May 3 |
| 32°F freeze | May 15 | May 8 | May 3 | Apr 22 |
| 28°F hard freeze | May 5 | Apr 30 | Apr 24 | Apr 8 |
All probabilities (10–90%)
| Threshold | 10% | 20% | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% | 70% | 80% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F (frost possible on plants) | May 26 | May 22 | May 18 | May 16 | May 14 | May 12 | May 9 | May 7 | May 3 |
| 32°F freeze | May 15 | May 11 | May 8 | May 6 | May 3 | May 1 | Apr 30 | Apr 27 | Apr 22 |
| 28°F hard freeze | May 5 | May 2 | Apr 30 | Apr 27 | Apr 24 | Apr 21 | Apr 17 | Apr 14 | Apr 8 |
Is it safe to plant after Mother's Day in Colorado Springs?
Around Colorado Springs, many gardeners use Mother's Day as their cue to plant (CSU PlantTalk). It falls on May 9 in 2027. From then on, the chance of another 32°F night is between 20% and 30%; for a 36°F night (frost possible on plants) it's about 70% (NOAA 1991–2020, Colorado Springs Municipal Airport).
Is it too early to plant in Colorado Springs?
Before May 3 the odds of another 32°F night are better than even; after May 15 they are about 1 in 10 or less.
Today's risk is computed in your browser from the same NOAA probability table, shown as the range between the two nearest NOAA probability levels.
When is the first frost in Colorado Springs?
The typical first fall freeze (32°F) comes by Oct 8, but 1 year in 10 it shows up as early as Sep 26. Cold 36°F nights (frost possible on plants) typically start around Oct 1, and the first hard freeze (28°F) typically comes around Oct 16.
Fall plantings are timed backward from first frost: Oct 8 typically, or Sep 26 if you want a cushion. See the planting calendar for each crop's date.
| Threshold | 10% (early) | 30% | 50% (typical) | 90% (late) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F (frost possible on plants) | Sep 17 | Sep 26 | Oct 1 | Oct 12 |
| 32°F freeze | Sep 26 | Oct 3 | Oct 8 | Oct 19 |
| 28°F hard freeze | Oct 4 | Oct 11 | Oct 16 | Oct 29 |
All probabilities (10–90%)
| Threshold | 10% | 20% | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% | 70% | 80% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F (frost possible on plants) | Sep 17 | Sep 23 | Sep 26 | Sep 28 | Oct 1 | Oct 3 | Oct 5 | Oct 8 | Oct 12 |
| 32°F freeze | Sep 26 | Oct 1 | Oct 3 | Oct 6 | Oct 8 | Oct 10 | Oct 13 | Oct 16 | Oct 19 |
| 28°F hard freeze | Oct 4 | Oct 8 | Oct 11 | Oct 13 | Oct 16 | Oct 19 | Oct 22 | Oct 25 | Oct 29 |
How long is Colorado Springs's growing season?
In a typical year, Colorado Springs gets 158 days between the last and first 32°F nights. About 1 year in 10, the season is shorter than 140 days.
That's enough time for most warm-season vegetables if they go in on time. Long-season crops do best started from transplants.
The station averages 2,730 growing degree days (base 50°F) a year. That number measures how much heat crops have to grow on.
| Threshold | 10% (long year) | 50% (typical) | 90% (short year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F (frost possible on plants) | 154 days | 139 days | 120 days |
| 32°F freeze | 174 days | 158 days | 140 days |
| 28°F hard freeze | 193 days | 176 days | 158 days |
How does Colorado Springs's season compare?
Among the 20 Colorado cities with frost dates on this site, the typical frost-free season in Colorado Springs (158 days) is the 9th longest.
Compared with the 56 U.S. cities with frost dates on this site, this typical frost-free season is longer than in 11 and shorter than in 44.
Growing degree days (base 50°F)
Annual normal: 2,730 GDD (NOAA flag S, 28 years). Running total by the end of each month (sum of NOAA daily GDD normals, so the year-end total can differ slightly from the annual normal):
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 4 | 27 | 100 | 351 | 867 | 1,560 | 2,183 | 2,583 | 2,710 | 2,730 | 2,730 |
What growing zone is Colorado Springs? (USDA 2023)
On the 2023 USDA map, Colorado Springs is zone 5b–6a (-15 to -5°F average coldest winter night). On the 2012 map, most of the city was 5b. Of the 27 city ZIPs listed in both tables, 11 moved up half a zone.
| ZIP | 2023 | 2012 | Change | Share of ZIP in Colorado Springs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80903 mostly in city | 6a | 5b | +1 half zone (warmer) | 97% |
| 80904 mostly in city | 6a | 5b | +1 half zone (warmer) | 97% |
| 80905 mostly in city | 6a | 5b | +1 half zone (warmer) | 100% |
| 80906 | 6a | 6a | unchanged | 39% |
| 80907 mostly in city | 6a | 5b | +1 half zone (warmer) | 100% |
| 80908 | 5b | 5b | unchanged | 4% |
| 80909 mostly in city | 6a | 6a | unchanged | 100% |
| 80910 mostly in city | 6a | 6a | unchanged | 99% |
| 80911 | 6a | 6a | unchanged | 1% |
| 80914 mostly in city | 6a | 6a | unchanged | 100% |
| 80915 | 6a | 5b | +1 half zone (warmer) | 47% |
| 80916 mostly in city | 6a | 6a | unchanged | 100% |
| 80917 mostly in city | 6a | 5b | +1 half zone (warmer) | 98% |
| 80918 mostly in city | 6a | 5b | +1 half zone (warmer) | 95% |
| 80919 mostly in city | 5b | 5b | unchanged | 52% |
| 80920 mostly in city | 5b | 5b | unchanged | 90% |
| 80921 | 5b | 5b | unchanged | 14% |
| 80922 mostly in city | 6a | 5b | +1 half zone (warmer) | 73% |
| 80923 mostly in city | 6a | 5b | +1 half zone (warmer) | 85% |
| 80924 mostly in city | 5b | 5b | unchanged | 95% |
| 80925 mostly in city | 6a | 6a | unchanged | 50% |
| 80926 | 6a | 6a | unchanged | 2% |
| 80927 mostly in city | 5b | 5b | unchanged | 70% |
| 80929 | 6a | 6a | unchanged | 31% |
| 80938 mostly in city | 6a | 5b | +1 half zone (warmer) | 98% |
| 80939 | 6a | 5b | +1 half zone (warmer) | 9% |
| 80951 mostly in city | 6a | 6a | unchanged | 76% |
Other ZIPs touching Colorado Springs and PO-box ZIPs
ZIPs outside the 809 prefix that overlap the city boundary:
- 80829: 2023 5b, 2012 5b (1.6% of the ZIP is in Colorado Springs)
- 80831: 2023 5b, 2012 5b (3.5% of the ZIP is in Colorado Springs)
PO-box and single-address 809xx ZIPs have no Census area, so we cannot tell which city they serve: 80901 (6a/5b), 80902 (6a/6a), 80912 (n/a/6a), 80913 (6a/6a), 80928 (6a/6a), 80930 (6a/6a), 80931 (6a/6a), 80932 (6a/6a), 80933 (6a/5b), 80934 (6a/5b), 80935 (6a/6a), 80936 (6a/5b), 80937 (6a/5b), 80941 (6a/5b), 80942 (6a/5b), 80944 (n/a/5b), 80946 (6a/5b), 80947 (6a/5b), 80949 (6a/5b), 80950 (6a/6a), 80960 (6a/5b), 80962 (5b/5b), 80970 (6a/6a), 80977 (6a/6a), 80995 (5b/5b), 80997 (5b/5b) (2023/2012).
Zones: PRISM Group, Oregon State University, https://prism.oregonstate.edu, accessed 2026-10-08. Shown as published in the ZIP tables; this page does not show a zone map. Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (official map: planthardiness.ars.usda.gov).
Does the new zone change Colorado Springs's frost dates?
No. Zones describe only how cold the coldest winter night gets on average. They don't tell you when frost starts or stops. The frost dates for Colorado Springs come from NOAA's 1991–2020 frost probabilities, which the 2023 zone map left untouched. Choose winter-hardy perennials by zone, and schedule planting by frost dates.
Why do Colorado Springs frost dates differ between websites?
Some sources list May 8 for Colorado Springs. That's the 30%-risk date: about 3 years in 10 still see a 32°F night after it. We headline the 50% (median) date, May 3.
May 15 is the date we call 'safer': it's the 10%-risk date, with a 32°F night after it in only about 1 year in 10.
May 14 is the typical (50%) date for a 36°F night (frost possible on plants), not a 32°F freeze. Any site that draws the line at 36°F will show later dates.
Station choice is another reason dates differ. Our 2 qualifying stations within 25 miles of the city center range from May 3 to May 17 for the typical (50%) last 32°F frost (table below).
| Date | What it is (NOAA 1991–2020) |
|---|---|
| May 8 | 32°F last frost, 30% risk (a 'balanced' date) |
| May 14 | 36°F last cold night, 50% (frost possible on plants) |
| May 15 | 32°F last frost, 10% risk (the 'safer' date) |
| Apr 24 | 28°F last hard freeze, 50% |
| Station | Distance | Elevation | Typical last frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Springs Municipal Airport used here | 5.5 mi SE | 6,181 ft | May 3 |
| Monument 3 S | 14.3 mi NNW | 6,821 ft | May 17 |
Which weather station is this based on?
- Station
- Colorado Springs Municipal Airport (NOAA USW00093037, WBAN/ASOS-AWOS)
- Distance
- 5.5 mi SE of the city center
- Elevation
- 6,181 ft; city center 6,338 ft (USGS), difference −157 ft
- Record
- NOAA completeness flag S, 30 of 30 years (1991–2020)
- Confidence
- High (rule)
Confidence: High. The station is 5.5 miles from the city center, only 157 ft different in elevation, and its frost statistics meet our completeness rule (NOAA flag S, 30 of 30 years).
| Station | ID | Distance | Elev. (Δ) | Last frost 50% | First frost 50% | Season 50% | NOAA flag / years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Springs Municipal Airport | USW00093037 | 5.5 mi SE | 6,181 ft (-157) | May 3 | Oct 8 | 158 d | S / 30 |
| Monument 3 S | USC00055733 | 14.3 mi NNW | 6,821 ft (+483) | May 17 | Oct 1 | 136 d | R / 10 |
Other stations within 25 mi (not used)
- Cumbre Vista - Colorado Springs 1 (USC00051786), 6.3 mi NNE, 6,942 ft: typical last frost May 9. Not used: frost normals incomplete or flagged (needs all 81 values with S/R flags, or values missing only because NOAA's probability of occurrence is below 10%); |elev diff| 604 ft > 500 ft.
- Black Forest 6 WNW (USC00050756), 11.4 mi N, 6,957 ft: typical last frost May 11. Not used: |elev diff| 619 ft > 500 ft.
- Ruxton Park (USC00057309), 11.6 mi W, 9,060 ft: typical last frost Jun 3. Not used: frost normals incomplete or flagged (needs all 81 values with S/R flags, or values missing only because NOAA's probability of occurrence is below 10%); |elev diff| 2722 ft > 500 ft.
- Monument (USC00055734), 17.2 mi NNW, 7,080 ft: typical last frost May 14. Not used: |elev diff| 742 ft > 500 ft.
- Eastonville 2 NNW (USC00052494), 18.8 mi NNE, 7,210 ft: typical last frost May 29. Not used: frost normals incomplete or flagged (needs all 81 values with S/R flags, or values missing only because NOAA's probability of occurrence is below 10%); |elev diff| 872 ft > 500 ft.
- Ellicott 7 S (USC00052668), 21.3 mi ESE, 5,739 ft: typical last frost May 6. Not used: frost normals incomplete or flagged (needs all 81 values with S/R flags, or values missing only because NOAA's probability of occurrence is below 10%); |elev diff| 599 ft > 500 ft.
- Cripple Creek 3 NNW (USC00051977), 24.2 mi WSW, 9,235 ft: typical last frost May 26. Not used: |elev diff| 2897 ft > 500 ft.
24 other NOAA normals stations within 40 km (mostly rain gauges) have no frost statistics.
Colorado Springs planting dates at a glance
Balanced dates use the 30%-risk last-frost date as the anchor. The Colorado Springs planting calendar has typical and safe dates, fall planting and a month-by-month list for 27 vegetables.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant outdoors (balanced) | Fall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Apr 25 – May 9 | Jun 13 | – |
| Peppers | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | May 22 | – |
| Potatoes | – | Apr 24 – May 8 | – |
| Onions (dry, from sets) | – | Apr 10–24 | – |
| Peas | – | Apr 10–24 | sow by Jul 21 |
| Lettuce (leaf) | – | Apr 10–24 | sow by Jul 26 |
| Carrots | – | Apr 24 – May 8 | sow by Jul 16 |
| Beans (snap) | – | May 8 | sow by Jul 12 |
| Summer squash | – | May 8 | sow by Jul 22 |
| Broccoli | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 10–24 | transplant by Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 10–24 | transplant by Jul 1 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 6–20 | Apr 24 – May 8 | – |
| Kohlrabi | – | Apr 10–24 | sow by Aug 5 |
| Green onions | – | Apr 10–24 | sow by Jul 26 |
| Radishes | – | Apr 10–24 | sow by Aug 25 |
| Spinach | – | Apr 10–24 | sow by Aug 15 |
| Turnips | – | Apr 10–24 | sow by Aug 5 |
| Beets | – | Apr 24 – May 8 | sow by Jul 26 |
| Swiss chard | – | Apr 24 – May 8 | sow by Jul 26 |
| Parsnips | – | Apr 24 – May 8 | – |
| Sweet corn | – | May 8 | – |
| Cucumbers | – | May 8 | sow by Jul 17 |
| Eggplant | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | May 22 | – |
| Cantaloupe | – | May 22 | – |
| Watermelon | – | May 22 | – |
| Winter squash | – | May 22 | – |
| Garlic | – | – | plant Oct 1–14 |
When to plant tomatoes in Colorado Springs · Fall planting dates for Colorado Springs
Frost dates near Colorado Springs
| City | Distance | Last frost | First frost | Season | Zone 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Castle Rock frost dates | 36 mi | May 9 | Oct 2 | 143 days | 5b |
| Pueblo frost dates | 42 mi | Apr 26 | Oct 13 | 166 days | 6a |
| Parker frost dates | 44 mi | May 9 | Oct 3 | 145 days | 5b–6a |
| Centennial frost dates | 50 mi | May 5 | Oct 8 | 154 days | 6a |
| Littleton frost dates | 52 mi | May 2 | Oct 11 | 160 days | 5b–6a |
| Aurora frost dates | 58 mi | May 7 | Oct 8 | 152 days | 6a |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average last frost date in Colorado Springs?
May 3 is the median (50%) date for Colorado Springs's last 32°F night, from NOAA 1991–2020 normals at Colorado Springs Municipal Airport. To play it safe, use May 15: only about 1 year in 10 has a freeze after it.
When is the first frost in Colorado Springs?
Expect the first 32°F night by Oct 8 in a typical year, and as early as Sep 26 in about 1 year out of 10. Cold 36°F nights (frost possible on plants) typically start around Oct 1.
What growing zone is Colorado Springs, Colorado? Is Colorado Springs zone 5 or 6?
Colorado Springs is in USDA hardiness zone 5b–6a on the current 2023 map (zone 5–6 for short). On the older 2012 map, most of the city was 5b. That's why older references still say 'zone 5'.
Is it too early to plant in Colorado Springs?
Before May 3, yes, for anything frost-tender. Until then, the odds of another 32°F night are better than even. The risk falls from 50% to 10% between May 3 and May 15. Peas, lettuce and other cool-season crops can go in weeks earlier; the planting calendar has dates.
What temperature is a killing frost?
It depends on the crop. Tender plants such as tomatoes are killed by a light frost, which CSU Extension describes as 28–32°F; below 28°F is a heavy frost. We show NOAA odds for 36°F (frost possible on plants), 32°F (freeze, our headline) and 28°F (hard freeze).
Is first frost the same as first freeze?
Not quite. A 'freeze' means the air reached 32°F. 'Frost' is ice on surfaces, and it can form on calm, clear nights even when the air is a few degrees above freezing. So in Colorado Springs, the first 36°F night (frost possible on plants) typically comes around Oct 1, before the first 32°F night (Oct 8).
Download & sources
- Add Colorado Springs frost & planting dates to your calendar (.ics, 2027)
- Printable planting calendar (PDF)
- How these numbers are calculated
Data: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (annual/seasonal and daily normals, station USW00093037); USDA Plant Hardiness Zone ZIP tables 2023 and 2012 by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; Census 2020 ZIP/place relationship file; USGS elevation. Long-term odds, not a forecast. Figures and sentences are generated from these data by fixed rules; see the methodology. Last updated 2026-10-08.