Celebrate Fall in Colorado, 7 Great Ways to Join the Fun

Celebrate Fall in Colorado

The nights are getting cooler, the Aspen leaves are turning gold, and there’s someone holding a pumpkin spice latte or wearing a cute scarf everywhere you turn. Fall is officially here! And while 2023 might look different from other years in a lot of ways, there are still some fantastic ways to celebrate fall in Colorado. We’re a little biased, but we think you should get out and enjoy them all. Check out our events calendar for music and cultural events happening around Colorado. Or here’s our favorite list of fall festivals and pumpkin patches.

Pumpkin Patches

You could grab a perfectly sized pumpkin from the bins outside Safeway or King Soopers. Still, there’s something just so satisfying about going out into that pumpkin patch and selecting your own, especially for kids. Since pumpkins are difficult to grow at higher elevations, you’ll probably have to travel to the Front Range or the Western Slope to pick your own pumpkins, but it’s worth the drive for the smiles you’ll put on your kids’ faces. Here’s the complete list of all the best pumpkin patches and giant pumpkin weigh-offs happening this year in Colorado.

Fall in Colorado Apple Picking

In Colorado, apples aren’t quite as abundant as in other parts of the country, but we still have some great orchards with plenty of delicious fruit on their trees. You will most likely have to schedule a reservation to go apple picking, and the slots fill up well in advance, so be sure to plan ahead! Many U-Pick apple orchards offer other fun apple-themed products as well, like apple cider, apple cider donuts, apple pies, apple butter, and more delicious treats.

• Ya Ya Farm & Orchard (Boulder) – At Ya Ya Farm & Orchard, you can get your pick of apples as well as apple-themed products like delicious, fresh-made cider donuts at their farm stand. Ya Ya Farm also has a variety of farm animals you can visit, including their massive Percheron draft horses.
• Big B’s Fruit Company (Hotchkiss) – At Big B’s, not only will you be able to pick your own apples, but you can stop by their tasting room for some of their delicious homemade hard cider, made with fruit picked right there on the farm. They also have a cafe, socially-distant live music on Thursdays, an orchard store, and even rustic campsites in the orchards!

Fall in Colorado Corn Mazes

• Fritzler’s Corn Maize (La Salle) – Wander through the rows of corn to try and find your way out at Fritzler’s Corn Maize, or if you’re feeling extra daring, grab tickets for Scream Acres, the haunted weekend event that will have you feeling like a character in a horror movie.
• Jack Lantern’s Northern Colorado Corn Maze (Fort Collins) – With a 35+ acre corn maze that is perfect for families during the day, with an optional scavenger hunt for those looking for a challenge, as well as bounce houses, a petting zoo, pumpkin patch, and more, Jack Lantern’s is a great palace for some fall fun. The monsters come out when the sun goes down, and the corn maze gets a little spookier.

Leaf Peeping

The autumn aspen season is short in Colorado but beautiful. Whether you want to see it by foot, out the window of your car, or even from the air, now’s the time to check out those golden aspens. Popular destinations like Kenosha Pass and Kebler Pass are often packed in the fall—for a more detailed look at leaf-peeping options in Colorado.

Fall in Colorado Haunted Houses

There’s something so thrilling about being scared on purpose, and Colorado has got you covered when it comes to haunted houses.

• The Frightmare Compound (Westminster) – This is Colorado’s oldest haunted house, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t grown more terrifying year after year. Their team of “scare experts” works hard to create an experience you’ll never forget… even if you wish you could.
• Aftermath (Canon City) – This spooky place has been rated one of Colorado’s top scariest haunted houses for years. With four scare nights throughout October and different routes you can take through the haunted forest and house, it’s a choose-your-own-adventure type of place that will have your heart pounding and your adrenaline pumping.

Enjoy Patio Season Before It’s Over

You might get lucky at lower elevations and have a winter season that lets you enjoy the patio almost year-round, but it’s certainly not a given. So make sure you enjoy these final weeks of pleasant weather by taking advantage of all the delicious fall food and beverages Colorado’s restaurants, breweries, and distilleries have to offer.

Take a Brewery or Winery Tour

Take a brewery tour in Summit County to try local offerings of pumpkin ales. Visit Stem Ciders in Denver or their farm in Lafayette for some appley, boozy goodness. Most breweries roll out seasonal varieties like Oktoberfest and pumpkin beers and more creative varieties made with ingredients like spiced hops, cinnamon, and even yams. So get out and enjoy patio season while you still can with a local brew or cocktail. Or, visit one of Colorado’s local wineries and stop in at their wine-tasting room.

Fall in Colorado means Planning Ahead.

Due to capacity restrictions and social distancing policies still in place, many fall festivities are operating with limits. While it’s 100% possible to have a fun fall, planning is essential. If possible, get those tickets early or plan your adventures for a weekday. No matter where you go and when you do it, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the fall festive season, whether picking pumpkins with the family for carving later on or planning a spooky date night in a haunted corn maze. There’s no better way to enjoy fall and get ready for winter than by celebrating fall in Colorado.

By Emily Krempholtz