Plan a fall trip around Colorado to see leaves and sip wine

From the Grand Mesa to the Front Range, there are plenty of places to enjoy both the views and the vines

By Jay McKinney 

When Colorado’s stunning landscapes are illuminated in shades of yellow, orange and red with the changing color of leaves, it’s hard to argue that there’s a better time of year in the state than fall. The smoldering summer heat gives way to crisp mornings and signals a shift in wardrobe. Meanwhile patio season and all the activities of summer are still accessible as winter lurks in the near future. Fall is also harvest season for the state’s wine industry and it is a great time of year to get out and support local wineries while exploring the unrivaled beauty of Colorado. 

When traveling in Western Colorado to see fall colors, traversing the 63-mile Grand Mesa Scenic Byway is highly recommended. The byway follows Highway 65 and connects Interstate 70 to Highway 92 in Cedaredge. As the largest flat-topped mountain on Earth, the Grand Mesa offers incredible scenery with vast meadows, an abundance of mountain lakes and aspen forests turned bright yellow.

Photo courtesy of Chill Switch Wines

Grand Mesa

Along the Grand Mesa Scenic Byway, there are plenty of worthy stops. The Land’s End Observatory is a popular destination that lives up to its name. It’s a former ranger observatory that sits on the edge of the Grand Mesa and offers sweeping views of the Book Cliffs, Colorado National Monument, the San Juan Mountains and more. From this vantage point, the foliage creates a mesmerizing sea of color. For those interested in hiking or biking, there are hundreds of miles of trails throughout the Grand Mesa that are easily accessible.

The scenic byway eventually leads to the town of Cedaredge and a drink may be in order. Chill Switch Wines was founded in 2012 by Dave Aschwanden who has been a champion of the Colorado wine industry. He’s been making wine for 22 years and is passionate about his craft, making natural wines from Colorado-grown grapes and no adulteration. Call ahead to schedule a tasting at Chill Switch Wines. Aschwanden also recommends Stoney Mesa Winery, Snow Capped Cider and Sips on Main as places in Cedaredge to visit. 

Located nearby is the West Elks American Viticultural Area (AVA) based around the towns of Hotchkiss and Paonia. Along with the Grand Valley AVA, the two AVAs produce the bulk of the state’s wine. The West Elks AVA has some of the highest vineyards in North America with elevations exceeding 7,000 feet and its idyllic location in the North Fork Valley is special.

There are a handful of wineries and cideries in the region that offer tours and tastings by appointment and the producers are always eager to showcase the quality of wine being made in the West Elks area. Wineries to contact for a tasting include Alfred Eames Cellars, Azura Wine Cellars, Black Bridge Winery, Qutori Wines, The Storm Cellar and others. 

Grand Valley

Alfred Eames Cellars | Photo by John Fielder, courtesy of Colorado Wine Industry

Roughly 70 miles west lies the Grand Valley, where there are numerous wineries and orchards to visit. For those interested in a day adventure, plan on stopping by the Dominguez Canyon Wilderness and exploring either Big Dominguez or Little Dominguez canyons. The wilderness area is located between the two regions off Highway 50 and while it may not be bursting with color from the fall foliage, it is a great time of year to visit as the temperatures won’t be too extreme.  

In the Grand Valley, Palisade is home to more than a dozen picturesque vineyards. Avant Vineyards uses estate-grown grapes to create small batches of tasty wine. With the Book Cliffs looming in the background, other locations offer great settings for tasting a variety of wines. Inspired by the towering mesas is Bookcliff Vineyards, a winery with locations in Palisade and Boulder that was recently named the state’s best winery by Tasting Table, a digital publisher. Along with Carboy Winery, Bookcliff is unique in having locations on both the Western Slope and the Front Range.

“Having a presence on both the Western Slope and the Front Range has been a huge advantage for Bookcliff,” says co-owner and CEO Jordan Dickard. “Together, the two locations let us tell the full Colorado wine story. Palisade shows where the wine comes from; Boulder shows how it fits into people’s everyday lives. That combination has helped us build relationships with guests across the state and keep Colorado at the center of the conversation.”

As far as places to experience fall colors, Dickard loves exploring the Grand Mesa but also believes Palisade is great during the harvest as the vines and orchards begin changing color. 

To expand the Western Slope adventure, head south to the Four Corners area. Mesa Verde has its own color schemes ruled by a high-desert environment that includes Gambel oak and mountain shrubs. Not far from Mesa Verde in the San Juan Mountains, stands of aspen are mixed with various pine trees. Topping off a hike or drive is easy to do at nearby craft producers. Area wineries include Sutcliffe Vineyards in Cortez, Sauvage Spectrum in Ouray, Durango Winery, and Fox Fire Farms in Ignacio. And check out Fenceline Cider in Mancos, about a 10-minute drive from beautiful Mancos State Park.

Another Western Slope stop to consider is the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. The national park offers stunning views and nearby Gunnison features Buckel Family Wine, as well as High Alpine Brewing Co. Heading toward the Continental Divide, Corona Pass ascends from Winter Park for some amazing views along the Divide. The Winter Park Winery is down the road in Fraser and Big Trout Brewing Co. is in the heart of Winter Park.

Bookcliff Vineyards tasting room | Photo by John Fielder, courtesy of Colorado Wine Industry

Front Range

Back on the Front Range and closer to Boulder, Bookcliff’s Dickard says any of the trails near Eldora Mountain and Nederland can offer spectacular aspen scenery, as well as many other national forest areas along the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway, a 55-mile route that connects Estes Park and Black Hawk. 

“My ideal fall day is pairing one of those drives or hikes with a relaxed tasting – either starting or ending at one of our tasting rooms – so people can enjoy both the landscape and a glass of Colorado wine in the same outing,” Dickard says. 

There are plenty of other areas to explore across the Front Range as well. Near Fort Collins, the Poudre Canyon is an extremely popular destination full of aspen, cottonwood and willow trees that transform the already beautiful canyon into a surreal spectacle. Catch a show at the Mishawaka Amphitheater and grab a room at Riverside Colorado to keep your fun rolling in the canyon.  Be sure to stop by Odell Brewing Company afterwards. While the brewery is a Fort Collins staple, the OBC Wine Project was launched in 2020 and has won over consumers. The winery and brewery are located right next to each other. Timnath Beerwerks, Salt Road Brewing and Hello Brew Co. are additional stops to consider. 

For areas closer to Denver, check out Golden Gate Canyon State Park located west of Golden or Roxborough State Park further to the south. Roxborough boasts the same red rock formations as Red Rocks Amphitheater and there are a variety of trails and lookout points offering stunning views. The landscape is full of scrub oaks that change into an array of colors during the fall. After hiking through the park, Carboy Winery has a location in nearby Littleton that can satisfy the craving for a glass of wine.  

In Colorado Springs there is no shortage of sites to visit for leaf peeping. Consider a day trip to the well-preserved mining town of Victor located about 45 miles west of Colorado Springs. Like the miners of the late 19th century chasing gold, the Vindicator Valley Trail offers views of golden aspen groves and is littered with mining relics. Mueller State Park and Pancake Rocks Trail near Divide are also great destinations worth visiting. Latigo Winery, located in the Black Forest region of Colorado Springs, welcomes guests to stop by and try its Colorado wines as well as local ciders and meads. 

Hungry? Fountain Creek Winery and Eatery – just south of the Springs – will serve a good meal to go with their wine selection.