Frost dates for 80813Cripple Creek, CO
The average last spring frost in Cripple Creek is May 26 and the average first fall frost is September 26, giving a typical growing season of about 121 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 26
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 26
- Growing season
- 121 days
Safer after Jun 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 211 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 26 · Jun 6 · Jun 20 | Sep 3 · Sep 17 · Sep 28 | 101 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 15 · May 26 · Jun 9 | Sep 13 · Sep 26 · Oct 7 | 121 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | May 3 · May 14 · May 28 | Sep 22 · Oct 4 · Oct 18 | 141 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Cripple Creek
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 25 – Jul 1 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 11 – Jun 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 25 – Jul 26 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 12 – Jun 10 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 25 – Jul 26 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 25 – Jun 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 26 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 25 – Jul 26 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jun 6 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 25 – Jul 26 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 18 – Jul 11 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – Jun 10 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – Jun 25 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 10 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 12 – Jun 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 12 – Jun 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 27 – Jun 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 17 – Jun 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – Jul 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – Jun 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 12 – Jun 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 26 – Jul 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 17 – Jul 2 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 16 – Oct 17 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 80813 is matched to the NOAA station Cripple Creek 3Nnw, CO, 5.5 km away, at 9,235 ft elevation (243 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cripple Creek 3Nnw, CO (used) | 9,235 ft | May 26 | Sep 26 |
| Florissant Fossil Bed, CO | 8,402 ft | — | — |
| Ruxton Park, CO | 9,060 ft | Jun 3 | Sep 17 |
| Divide 4Nw, CO | 9,134 ft | Jun 1 | Sep 21 |
Frost dates near Cripple Creek
- Victor, CO 80860 · last May 26, first Sep 26
- Florissant, CO 80816 · last —, first —
- Divide, CO 80814 · last Jun 1, first Sep 21
- Cascade, CO 80809 · last May 14, first Oct 1
- Green Mountain Falls, CO 80819 · last —, first —
- Woodland Park, CO 80866 · last —, first —
- Manitou Springs, CO 80829 · last May 3, first Oct 8
- Colorado Springs, CO 80904 · last May 3, first Oct 8
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Cripple Creek, CO?
- For ZIP code 80813, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 26, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Cripple Creek 3Nnw, CO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 9.
- When is the first frost in Cripple Creek, CO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 26. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 13, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 80813?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 121 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.