Frost dates for 80932Colorado Springs, CO
The average last spring frost in Colorado Springs is May 3 and the average first fall frost is October 8, giving a typical growing season of about 158 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 3
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 8
- Growing season
- 158 days
Safer after May 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 198 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 3 · May 14 · May 26 | Sep 17 · Oct 1 · Oct 12 | 139 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 22 · May 3 · May 15 | Sep 26 · Oct 8 · Oct 19 | 158 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 24 · May 5 | Oct 4 · Oct 16 · Oct 29 | 176 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 2 – Jun 8 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 18 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jun 28 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 3 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 21 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 18 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 18 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 18 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Jun 2 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jun 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 29 – Jun 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Jun 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 29 – Jul 14 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 28 – Oct 29 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 80932 is matched to the NOAA station Colorado Springs Muni Ap, CO, 11.8 km away, at 6,181 ft elevation (174 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Springs Muni Ap, CO (used) | 6,181 ft | May 3 | Oct 8 |
| Ruxton Park, CO | 9,060 ft | Jun 3 | Sep 17 |
| Cumbre Vista - Colorado Spgs 1, CO | 6,942 ft | May 9 | Oct 6 |
| Black Forest 6Wnw, CO | 6,957 ft | May 11 | Oct 6 |
Frost dates near Colorado Springs
- Colorado Springs, CO 80901 · 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
- Fountain, CO 80817 · last May 3, first Oct 8
- Green Mountain Falls, CO 80819 · last —, first —
- Woodland Park, CO 80866 · last —, first —
- Peyton, CO 80831 · last May 9, first Oct 6
- Cripple Creek, CO 80813 · last May 26, first Sep 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Colorado Springs, CO?
- For ZIP code 80932, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 3, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Colorado Springs Muni Ap, CO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 15.
- When is the first frost in Colorado Springs, CO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 8. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 26, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 80932?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 158 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.