Frost dates for 80438Empire, CO
The average last spring frost in Empire is May 30 and the average first fall frost is September 19, giving a typical growing season of about 112 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 30
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 19
- Growing season
- 112 days
Safer after Jun 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 215 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | May 31 · Jun 14 · Jun 29 | Aug 23 · Sep 8 · Sep 20 | 85 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 17 · May 30 · Jun 14 | Sep 5 · Sep 19 · Sep 30 | 112 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | May 3 · May 15 · May 31 | Sep 16 · Sep 30 · Oct 15 | 137 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Empire
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Apr 29 – Jul 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 15 – May 30 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 29 – Jul 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 16 – Jun 14 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 29 – Jul 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 29 – Jun 9 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 29 – Jul 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – May 30 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 29 – Jul 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 22 – Jul 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – Jun 14 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – Jun 29 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 14 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 16 – Jun 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 16 – Jun 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 20 – May 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jun 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 10 – Jun 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – Jul 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jun 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – Jun 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Aug 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 16 – Jun 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jul 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 30 – Jul 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 10 – Jun 25 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 9 – Oct 10 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 80438 is matched to the NOAA station Georgetown, CO, 6.4 km away, at 8,520 ft elevation (105 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgetown, CO (used) | 8,520 ft | May 30 | Sep 19 |
| Cabin Creek, CO | 10,021 ft | Jun 6 | Sep 19 |
| Fraser, CO | 8,560 ft | — | — |
| Coal Creek Canyon, CO | 8,951 ft | Jun 5 | Sep 16 |
Frost dates near Empire
- Georgetown, CO 80444 · last May 30, first Sep 19
- Dumont, CO 80436 · last May 24, first Sep 23
- Idaho Springs, CO 80452 · last Jun 6, first Sep 19
- Silver Plume, CO 80476 · last Jun 6, first Sep 19
- Central City, CO 80427 · last May 30, first Sep 19
- Winter Park, CO 80482 · last Jun 21, first Sep 2
- Black Hawk, CO 80422 · last Jun 5, first Sep 16
- Rollinsville, CO 80474 · last —, first —
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Empire, CO?
- For ZIP code 80438, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Georgetown, CO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 14.
- When is the first frost in Empire, CO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 19. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 5, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 80438?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 112 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.