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

Planting zone for 80468 — Parshall, CO

ZIP code 80468 (Parshall, Grand County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is June 12 and the first fall frost September 10.

Where ZIP 80468 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.

Zone5a−20 to −15 °F

Coldest night−28.9 to −26.1 °C

Last frostJun 12

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 Parshall, 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 Parshall, CO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostJune 12median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 25only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 10median — 10% chance by Aug 31

Growing season89 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 26 and returns around September 20.

From the NOAA station Williams Fork Dam, CO — 10 miles away, elevation 7,618 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 80468

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15

SpinachSow outdoors · May 1 – May 22

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 22 – Jun 5

Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 15 – May 29

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 22 – Jun 5

LettuceSow outdoors · May 15 – May 29

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 22 – Jun 5

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 17 – May 1

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 19 – Jul 3

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 26 – Jul 10

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 19 – Jul 3

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 19 – Jul 3

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 19 – Jul 3

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 12) 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 80468 came on Apr 12 — 23 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 5).

average
May 52026
Apr 12

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 5a in Colorado

532 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Colorado, and rated by the USDA to survive −20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5a. 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 Parshall, CO.

Soil in Parshall, CO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 80468 is Tine — cobbly sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureCobbly sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Tine cobbly sandy loam, 3 to 15 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 80468; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Parshall, CO

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July

Winter low0 °Faverage low, January

Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights242nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,036base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 00 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 20 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation26.2 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: Williams Fork Dam, CO (10 mi away); precipitation: Middle Fork Camp, CO (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

804515b

Hot Sulphur Springs, CO · 9 mi

804425b

Fraser, CO · 12 mi

804985a

Silverthorne, CO · 14 mi

804785b

Tabernash, CO · 15 mi

804825a

Winter Park, CO · 17 mi

804974b

Silverthorne, CO · 19 mi

Colorado planting zones →

Questions about 80468

What planting zone is ZIP code 80468?

ZIP code 80468 (Parshall, 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 Parshall, CO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 80468 is June 12; after June 25 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Williams Fork Dam station.

When is the first frost in Parshall, CO?

The median first fall frost near 80468 is September 10, giving a median frost-free growing season of 89 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 80468?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 17 – May 1 and set transplants outside around Jun 19 – Jul 3, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 80468 get?

About 26.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Middle Fork Camp station).

How hot do summers get in Parshall, CO?

The average high peaks at 79 °F in July, with about 0 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 80468 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Tine at the center of ZIP 80468: cobbly sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Parshall, CO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 80468 came on Apr 12 in 2026, 23 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 5), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Parshall, CO?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 80468 is 15 h 00 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 80468 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 80468 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.