Fall colors in Denver: 7 can’t-miss places for fall leaves in the metro area

DENVER (KDVR) — A lot of focus is put on leaf-peeping opportunities in the high country of Colorado (for good reason), but what about the Denver metro area?

There are plenty of beautiful spots across the Mile High City that highlight the changing leaves.

While people cannot expect the same color composition in the city as they will in the mountains, the variety of tree species planted in Denver can create a unique experience, especially in some of the city’s parks.

1. Washington Park

Located at 701 S. Franklin St. in Denver

Washington Park has a large variety of tree species planted in it, many of which are deciduous, meaning their leaves change color before falling off.

There are several walking paths around the park that people can take with places to sit and enjoy the changing scenery.

2. City Park

Located at 2001 Colorado Blvd. in Denver

City Park is Denver’s largest urban park featuring a large number of trees as well as mostly uninterrupted views of the mountains to the west, depending on where you are in the park .

City Park also includes one of Denver’s most notable trees : The Shakespeare Elm. Legend has it the wych elm was grown from a scion taken from Shakespeare’s grave in England.

The 108-year-old tree is deciduous, as are many of the trees in City Park.

3. Cherry Creek State Park

Located at 4201 S. Parker Rd. in Arapahoe County

The 4,227-acre Cherry Creek State Park is located just south of the Denver city limits and is managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

Because it’s so large, there are many places to explore and things to do, such as camping .

Online reviews from parkgoers in past years have mentioned the beautiful fall colors in the park.

4. Cheesman Park

Located at 1599 E. 8th Ave. in Denver

One of the most notable things about Cheesman Park is its history, which may be of interest to Denverites who are fond of ghost stories and Halloween. The park is located on what used to be the city’s first cemetery , though many of the bodies were moved before it was turned into a park.

The park is also right next to the Denver Botanic Gardens, which also features many plants and trees inside that are beautiful in fall.

5. Sloan’s Lake

Located at 1700 Sheridan Blvd. in Denver

Sloan’s Lake, which refers to the lake, the park and the Denver neighborhood it is located in, features many beautiful views of the lake and the trees surrounding it, as well as the mountains to the west.

6. University of Denver campus arboretum

Located at 2199 S. University Blvd. in Denver

The Chester M. Alter Arboretum, located on the University of Denver campus, is full of a wide variety of plants and trees.

Most of these are deciduous trees , so their leaves will change before falling off.

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The Arboretum has a tree walk that people can go on to enjoy the over 2,000 trees while learning more about them.

7. Chatfield State Park

Located at 11500 N. Roxborough Park Rd. in Douglas and Jefferson counties

Chatfield State Park is a 5,381-acre park located in the southwestern foothills of the Denver metro area south of Littleton city limits.

There are miles of trails that people can take in the park, along with many campsites .

It is worth noting that thousands of dead and dying trees are set to be removed from the park over the next six months starting the week of Oct. 14.

However, Colorado Parks and Wildlife said the trees only represent less than 1% of the trees in the park.

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