Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 80429 — Climax, CO

ZIP code 80429 (Climax, Lake County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is June 16 and the first fall frost September 10.

Where ZIP 80429 is

tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone5a−20 to −15 °F

Coldest night−28.9 to −26.1 °C

Last frostJun 16

First frostSep 10

2012 zone4b

Was 4b on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 5a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Climax, CO…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Climax, CO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostJune 16median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 29only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 10median — 10% chance by Aug 24

Growing season85 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around June 2 and returns around September 23.

From the NOAA station Twin Lakes Rsvr, CO — 9 miles away, elevation 9,236 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in 80429

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19

SpinachSow outdoors · May 5 – May 26

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 26 – Jun 9

Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 26 – Jun 9

LettuceSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 26 – Jun 9

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 21 – May 5

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 23 – Jul 7

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 30 – Jul 14

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 23 – Jul 7

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 23 – Jul 7

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 23 – Jul 7

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 16 – Jul 30

GarlicPlant cloves · Aug 27 – Oct 1

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 16) and first fall frost (Sep 10) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 80429 came on May 1 — 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 20).

average
May 202026
May 1

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Soil in Climax, CO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 80429 is Leadville — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH6.1slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Leadville sandy loam, 3 to 35 percent slopes.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 80429; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Climax, CO

Summer high71 °Faverage high, July

Winter low5 °Faverage low, January

Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights272nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days350base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 56 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 24 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation13.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall157 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Leadville Lake Co. Airport, CO (within 1 mile); precipitation: Leadville Lake Co. Airport, CO (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

2 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

804615a

Leadville, CO · 2 mi

812515a

Twin Lakes, CO · 9 mi

Buena Vista, CO · 18 mi

Colorado planting zones →

Questions about 80429

What planting zone is ZIP code 80429?

ZIP code 80429 (Climax, CO) is in USDA hardiness zone 5a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −20 to −15 °F (−28.9 to −26.1 °C).

When is the last frost in Climax, CO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 80429 is June 16; after June 29 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Twin Lakes Rsvr station.

When is the first frost in Climax, CO?

The median first fall frost near 80429 is September 10, giving a median frost-free growing season of 85 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 80429?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 21 – May 5 and set transplants outside around Jun 23 – Jul 7, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 80429 get?

About 13.5 inches of precipitation a year and 157 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Leadville Lake Co. Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Climax, CO?

The average high peaks at 71 °F in July, with about 0 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 80429 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Leadville at the center of ZIP 80429: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 6.1 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Climax, CO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 80429 came on May 1 in 2026, 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 20), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Climax, CO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 80429 is 14 h 56 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 80429 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 80429 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.