Colorado wildfires didn’t affect fall foliage in this popular leaf-peeping area

DENVER ( KDVR ) — Wildfires ravaged parts of Colorado throughout the summer, destroying thousands of acres of land. However, according to one popular leaf-peeping location, the fall leaves are still intact.

Throughout the entire summer, several wildfires left lasting damage, including the loss of 16,000 acres of land in one week across the Front Range and many structures either damaged or destroyed.

While wildfires ranged from the Alexander Mountain Fire in Larimer County to the Interlaken Fire near Leadville , the Lake County Tourism Panel said the fall leaves in the favorite leaf-peeping area of Leadville and Twin Lakes were untouched.

The panel said the Interlocken Fire threatened the area in June, but the fire has since been contained and the leaves are “unscathed.” Despite the wildfire earlier in the summer, the panel said the Twin Lakes community is 100% open and ready for visitors.

Places to see fall leaves remain untouched

According to the panel, the Praying Angel aspens of Twin Lakes will still have fall foliage this year, including some other highly photographed places in the area that can be accessed through hikes, bikes, railroads and drives.

Here are places that will still have fall leaves, despite the summer wildfires nearby:

• Fremont Pass
• Tennessee Pass
• Independence Pass
• Leadville Railroad
• Mineral Belt Trail
• Timberline Trails at Colorado Mountain College
• Turquoise Lake Trail
• Leadville Fish Hatchery Trails
• Interlaken Trail
• Mount Elbert
• Lily Pond Hike
• Hope Pass

While the wildfires didn’t affect these leaves, the colors still might not be as beautiful as last year. According to Jay Judd with Davey Tree Expert Company , the fall colors are expected to be more muted this year than last year because of the heat late in the season.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.