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

Planting zone for 80440 — Fairplay, CO

ZIP code 80440 (Fairplay, Park County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is June 16 and the first fall frost September 9.

Where ZIP 80440 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · 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.

Zone5b−15 to −10 °F

Coldest night−26.1 to −23.3 °C

Last frostJun 16

First frostSep 9

2012 zone4b

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

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Fairplay, 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 Fairplay, 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 30only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 9median — 10% chance by Aug 21

Growing season83 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around June 2 and returns around September 21.

From the NOAA station Fairplay S Park Rd, CO — 7 miles away, elevation 9,997 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 80440

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 15 – Jul 29

GarlicPlant cloves · Aug 26 – Sep 30

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 16) and first fall frost (Sep 9) 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 80440 came on Apr 26 — 18 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 14).

average
May 142026
Apr 26

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).

Native plants for zone 5b in Colorado

546 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Colorado, and rated by the USDA to survive −15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Fairplay, CO.

Soil in Fairplay, CO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 80440 is Parkview family — cobbly loam, well drained.

TextureCobbly loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.8neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter4%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Parkview-Bushpark families complex, 5 to 40 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 80440; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Fairplay, CO

Summer high71 °Faverage high, July

Winter low9 °Faverage low, February

Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights236nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days505base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 55 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 25 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation17 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Fairplay S Park Rd, CO (7 mi away); precipitation: Fairplay 2.7 Sw, CO (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Leadville, CO · 15 mi

Twin Lakes, CO · 21 mi

812115b

Buena Vista, CO · 21 mi

Colorado planting zones →

Questions about 80440

What planting zone is ZIP code 80440?

ZIP code 80440 (Fairplay, CO) is in USDA hardiness zone 5b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −15 to −10 °F (−26.1 to −23.3 °C).

When is the last frost in Fairplay, CO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 80440 is June 16; after June 30 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Fairplay S Park Rd station.

When is the first frost in Fairplay, CO?

The median first fall frost near 80440 is September 9, giving a median frost-free growing season of 83 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 80440?

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 80440 get?

About 17 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Fairplay 2.7 Sw station).

How hot do summers get in Fairplay, 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 80440 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Parkview family at the center of ZIP 80440: cobbly loam, well drained, pH about 6.8 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Fairplay, CO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 80440 came on Apr 26 in 2026, 18 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 14), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Fairplay, CO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 80440 is 14 h 55 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 80440 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 80440 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.