Frost dates for 80908Colorado Springs, CO
The average last spring frost in Colorado Springs is May 29 and the average first fall frost is September 21, giving a typical growing season of about 114 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 29
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 21
- Growing season
- 114 days
Safer after Jun 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 9 (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 30 · Jun 11 · Jun 25 | Sep 1 · Sep 12 · Sep 22 | 91 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 15 · May 29 · Jun 13 | Sep 9 · Sep 21 · Oct 1 | 114 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | May 2 · May 14 · May 30 | Sep 16 · Sep 29 · Oct 10 | 137 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Colorado Springs
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 28 – Jul 4 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 14 – Jun 1 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 28 – Jul 29 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 15 – Jun 13 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 28 – Jul 29 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 28 – Jun 11 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 29 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 28 – Jul 29 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jun 1 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 28 – Jul 29 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 21 – Jul 14 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – Jun 13 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – Jun 28 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 13 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 15 – Jun 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 15 – Jun 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 22 – Jun 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 12 – Jun 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – Jul 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jun 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – Jun 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Aug 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 15 – Jun 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 29 – Jul 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 12 – Jun 27 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 11 – Oct 12 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 80908 is matched to the NOAA station Eastonville 2 Nnw, CO, 12.5 km away, at 7,210 ft elevation (192 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastonville 2 Nnw, CO (used) | 7,210 ft | May 29 | Sep 21 |
| Cumbre Vista - Colorado Spgs 1, CO | 6,942 ft | May 9 | Oct 6 |
| Black Forest 6Wnw, CO | 6,957 ft | May 11 | Oct 6 |
| Monument 3S, CO | 6,821 ft | May 17 | Oct 1 |
Frost dates near Colorado Springs
- Colorado Springs, CO 80924 · last May 9, first Oct 6
- Elbert, CO 80106 · last May 29, first Sep 21
- Peyton, CO 80831 · last May 9, first Oct 6
- Monument, CO 80132 · last May 14, first Oct 1
- Palmer Lake, CO 80133 · last May 14, first Oct 1
- Larkspur, CO 80118 · last May 17, first Oct 1
- Manitou Springs, CO 80829 · last May 3, first Oct 8
- Cascade, CO 80809 · last May 14, first Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Colorado Springs, CO?
- For ZIP code 80908, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 29, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Eastonville 2 Nnw, CO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 13.
- When is the first frost in Colorado Springs, CO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 21. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 9, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 80908?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 114 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.