Front Range bloom
Wildflowers along the Front Range open in late April and early May — Mount Falcon and Roxborough State Park are great.
Season
Spring in Colorado
4/20 celebrations, alpine wildflowers, late-season skiing, and the best shoulder-season hotel prices of the year.
Spring in Colorado is two seasons in one — late-spring ski days at A-Basin and Breckenridge in the morning, wildflowers and Denver patios in the afternoon. April through early June brings smaller crowds, lower hotel rates, and the year's biggest cannabis celebration on April 20.
Best months
April – early June
Marquee event
Denver 4/20 Rally
Ski closure
Most resorts close mid–late April
Last lifts
A-Basin & Breck (sometimes June)
4/20 celebrations
April 20 in Denver is unlike any other day. The Mile High 4/20 Festival at Civic Center Park draws tens of thousands for free music, food trucks, dispensary booths, and a noon countdown. Dispensaries across the state run their biggest sales of the year (10–50% off).
Wildflowers & weather
Alpine bloom
Higher-elevation wildflowers peak in late June and July, but lower meadows in May–June are spectacular.
Variable weather
Spring is Colorado's most unpredictable season. Expect 70°F afternoons and surprise snowstorms within the same week.
Spring hiking
Lower-elevation Front Range trails (Mount Falcon, North Table, Apex Park) open up first. Higher trails in RMNP and the Indian Peaks remain snow-covered into June. Microspikes are useful into early May above 9,000 ft.
Seasonal events
- Denver 4/20 Rally — April 20 at Civic Center Park.
- Doors Open Denver — May architecture event with free building access.
- A-Basin Festival of the Brewpubs — closing weekend ski festival.
- Boulder Creek Festival — Memorial Day weekend.
- Bolder Boulder 10K — Memorial Day.
Hotel pricing & travel tips
Spring offers some of the lowest hotel rates of the year — mid-April through May runs 20–40% below summer peaks. Mountain town rates drop dramatically after Easter as ski-season crowds disperse. A perfect time to visit Aspen, Vail, or Breckenridge without summer prices.
Interactive map
Civic Center Park hosts Denver's annual 4/20 celebration
Frequently asked questions
What is the Denver 4/20 rally?
An annual celebration in Civic Center Park on April 20 featuring live music, food vendors, and educational booths. It's the largest free cannabis gathering in the U.S.
When does Trail Ridge Road open?
Usually late May or Memorial Day weekend, weather permitting, after snowplows clear the upper sections of Rocky Mountain National Park.
Is spring a good time to ski?
Yes — April skiing in Colorado is fantastic. A-Basin and Breckenridge often run lifts into June.
