Weekend Likely Last For 'Vibrant' Fall Color As New Storm Brews

By Chris Spears

DENVER (CBS4) - Colorado's fall color show has shifted into the central and southern mountains with vibrant displays of 'aspen gold' in elevations between 7,500 and 10,000 feet.

Past peak conditions are being reported in the northern mountains where many trees are losing leaves due to last week's wind and snow.

CBS4 viewers have been sharing spectacular pictures from places including Crested Butte, Cripple Creek, Westcliffe, Pagosa Springs, Salida and Telluride.

"The colors are definitely changing on the backside of the mountain with oranges already popping. On the frontside, which you can see from the base area, trees are just starting to change to a beautiful yellow," said Kim Oyler with Purgatory Resort in Durango.

If you're heading down to Purgatory and looking for an adventure, Kim suggests renting a utility terrain vehicle and taking in the color along a forest service road.

The weekend ahead should be ideal for fall leaf-peeping. While there will be scattered mountain showers each afternoon there are no large scale weather systems in the forecast until early next week.

By next Tuesday, a new storm system organizing over the Gulf of Alaska threatens to bring a blast of wind and cold to Colorado's mountains and there could even be some snow.

Cold temperatures, snow and wind are not good for maintaining vibrant fall color. Peak conditions typically hit central and southern Colorado by late September and early October.

Meteorologist Chris Spears writes about stories related to weather and climate in Colorado. Check out his bio, connect with him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter @ChrisCBS4.