Frost dates for 80926Colorado Springs, CO
The average last spring frost in Colorado Springs is May 9 and the average first fall frost is October 6, giving a typical growing season of about 150 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 9
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 6
- Growing season
- 150 days
Safer after May 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 195 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 8 · May 18 · Jun 1 | Sep 18 · Sep 29 · Oct 8 | 132 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 28 · May 9 · May 20 | Sep 27 · Oct 6 · Oct 16 | 150 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 16 · Apr 30 · May 11 | Oct 4 · Oct 14 · Oct 25 | 166 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 8 – Jun 14 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 16 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jun 26 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 19 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 16 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 24 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 24 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Jun 8 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jun 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 27 – Jun 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Jun 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jun 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 27 – Jul 12 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 26 – Oct 27 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 80926 is matched to the NOAA station Cumbre Vista - Colorado Spgs 1, CO, 30.5 km away, at 6,942 ft elevation (460 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cumbre Vista - Colorado Spgs 1, CO (used) | 6,942 ft | May 9 | Oct 6 |
| Colorado Springs Muni Ap, CO | 6,181 ft | May 3 | Oct 8 |
| Ruxton Park, CO | 9,060 ft | Jun 3 | Sep 17 |
| Cripple Creek 3Nnw, CO | 9,235 ft | May 26 | Sep 26 |
Frost dates near Colorado Springs
- Colorado Springs, CO 80902 · last May 3, first Oct 8
- Fountain, CO 80817 · last May 3, first Oct 8
- Manitou Springs, CO 80829 · last May 3, first Oct 8
- Cascade, CO 80809 · last May 14, first Oct 1
- Victor, CO 80860 · last May 26, first Sep 26
- Cripple Creek, CO 80813 · last May 26, first Sep 26
- Green Mountain Falls, CO 80819 · last —, first —
- Penrose, CO 81240 · last May 4, first Oct 7
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Colorado Springs, CO?
- For ZIP code 80926, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Cumbre Vista - Colorado Spgs 1, CO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 20.
- When is the first frost in Colorado Springs, CO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 6. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 27, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 80926?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 150 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.