Mid-August into September is sunflower season in Colorado. Each August we love to go out to the public roads around the Denver International Airport (DIA) to find giant sunflowers in bloom.
Each August, photographers and locals flock to the sunflower fields growing next to DIA and other spots all around Colorado. See other spots below. See DIA Sunflower video.
On the DIA property and outside the secure fenced area are fields of crops. Some of these crops are what seem like endless rows of giant sunflowers. This year I have heard reports that the public access areas are about five miles off E-470 toll road exit on 56th Avenue.
Colorado had an abundance of rain this year. So, the sunflowers came in early and are brighter than ever. This rainy season has also made many of the backroads and bridges in the area impassable. See DIA Sunflower video.
Do not enter fields, pick the flowers, or enter restricted airport areas!
Each year, the airport leases about 16,000 acres of land to farmers who grow wheat, millet, sunflowers, corn, and other crops. Making these fields of sunflowers private property. Touching the flowers, walking in the fields, or even taking sunflower heads for souvenirs (a problem farmers have had in the past), is not allowed. Remember, sunflowers are the crop of the farmers. You are allowed to pull up and park on the road outside the fields to take pictures. But do not enter the fields. The airport’s perimeter is fenced, and there are trespassing notices in the appropriate areas. See DIA Sunflower video.
From Denver, take I-70 east to Peña Blvd, just like you would to DIA. From Peña, exit on 56th Avenue going east. After a few miles on 56th Avenue, turn left (north) on Imboden road and drive until you see the fields. The best views might be from Imboden Road between 56th and 104th street. It varies year by year. See DIA Sunflower video.
Sunflowers are abundant on the Colorado plains, along with the eastern and southern portions of the state and in the Rockies. They grow as wildflowers along the roads and fields all over. Most peak in late summer.
It is illegal to pick wildflowers in Colorado state parks because it can damage the ecosystem. Some species of wildflowers are so rare they are protected by the state. See DIA Sunflower video.
The annual Colorado sunflower is a native short-lived perennial. The fields around DIA grow from 5 to 10 feet tall. See DIA Sunflower video.
Other great Colorado sunflower sites
Pawnee National Grasslands: 35 miles east of Fort Collins and 25 miles northeast of Greeley. Pawnee Buttes Trail is most beautiful when it is blanketed by blooming sunflowers in June. This area gets large afternoon storms in the summer. If you are there as one blows-in, you might get a great picture of a supercell thunderstorm and a sunflower field. The sunflower field are usually the smaller varieties. https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/arp/recarea/?recid=32170
Sunflower Farm: 11150 Prospect Road, Longmont. There is an entrance fee. You can pet goats, sheep, and horses. https://www.sunflowerfarminfo.com/
Anderson Farms: 6728 County Road 3-1/4 Erie. For a fee offers a u-pick sunflowers option. Has over 17 varieties of sunflowers ranging in height, colors and stages of bloom. Admission includes a wagon ride to and from the field. https://andersonfarms.com/sunflowers/
Great Sand Dunes National Park: peaks around the third week of August.
Rocky Mountain National Park:Alpine sunflower grow in tundra zone of the park. Aspen sunflower or little sunflower grows on lower elevations.
Gunnison, Almont Triangle and Crested Butte: peak bloom occurs in late June and early July. Can be found on Kebler Pass, Farris Creek and Walrod trail, Crested Butte peak, and Lower Loop.
Lone Mesa State Park:mule's ears are also abundant in the southwestern part of the state. Peak bloom occurs in mid-June.
Thousands of people fly in and out of DIA to come see Colorado’s scenery, mountains, and wildlife. If you ever have plans to fly into DIA in August, make sure to look out the airplane window as you approach the airport to look for the bright yellow fields. Try to determine which direction they are from the airport. To get your bearings, the DIA runways run east west, and the Rockies are to your west. They are well worth a stop as you leave the airport to take pictures. See DIA Sunflower video.
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