5 tips for making the most of fall colors this year in Colorado

It's no secret that Colorado has plenty of stunning scenery, and fall colors certainly put on a show.

Here are some tips for making the most of the fall colors this year:

1. Use the 'fall foliage map'

This is an interactive fall color map that shows the entire state of Colorado. You can even adjust it for a date-specific preview.

2. Go at the right time

Fall colors usually show up around mid-September, however they reach their peak later on. The colors sometimes even last until mid-October depending on where your at. There can be a big difference at the same spot over the course of a week or even a few days. One great option for seeing how fall colors are looking in a specific area is to head to social media to look for recent posts that have been geotagged.

3. Visit during morning or dusk hours

Plan to visit earlier in the day or later in the day to take advantage of the 'golden hours' when the sun is lower in the sky. This can be especially important for photography.

4. Take a road trip (but don't stop on the side of the road)

Enjoy a scenic drive on one of Colorado's mountain roads. Kebler Pass, Trail Ridge Road, Peak to Peak Highway, Buffalo Pass, and Independence Pass are great options to see the fall colors. If you are leaf-peeping from the road, stop at official pull-offs. Don't stop in the road or on the side of the road. It's also important to keep from getting distracted. And don't drop your speed to catch a peep – this can be unsafe and will make other drivers mad.

5. Take a gondola ride

Telluride's gondola will give you great views of the fall colors, as well as the town, canyon, and valleys. It is open until Oct. 20 for the summer season. Telluride a bit too far? Many resorts off free or cheap gondola options during fall.