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

Planting zone for 80471 — Pinecliffe, CO

ZIP code 80471 (Pinecliffe, Boulder County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is June 5 and the first fall frost September 16.

Where ZIP 80471 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 5
First frostSep 16
2012 zone5b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. 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 Pinecliffe, 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 Pinecliffe, CO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostJune 5median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 19only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 16median — 10% chance by Sep 2
Growing season103 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 21 and returns around September 26.

From the NOAA station Coal Creek Canyon, CO — 3 miles away, elevation 8,951 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 80471

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 15
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 15 – May 29
Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 8 – May 22
PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 15 – May 29
LettuceSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 15 – May 29
TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
TomatoesTransplant · Jun 12 – Jun 26
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 19 – Jul 3
BeansSow outdoors · Jun 12 – Jun 26
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 12 – Jun 26
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 12 – Jun 26
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 22 – Aug 5
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 2 – Oct 7
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 5) and first fall frost (Sep 16) 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 80471 came on Mar 17 — 42 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 28).

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.

Trees 27

American elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °Fbalsam poplar80 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −79 °Fblack locust60 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −37 °Fblack walnut100 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Fblack willow100 ft · blooms early spring · high shade tolerance · to −58 °Fblue spruce100 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Shrubs 98

alderleaf mountain mahogany15 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −41 °Falpine laurel1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican plum24 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Fantelope bitterbrush6 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −36 °FApache plume6 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −23 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 246

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine aster0.3 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °Falpine bistort1 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine mountainsorrel1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °FAmerican alpine speedwell1 ft · blooms summer · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican bistort1.5 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Grasses 163

Alaska oniongrass3 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Falkali cordgrass3 ft · blooms late summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falkali sacaton3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAlpine Meadow-Foxtail0.5 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Falpine timothy1.4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °Fanalogue sedge1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 3

riverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FVirginia creeper1 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °Fwestern white clematis1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °F

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 Pinecliffe, CO.

Soil in Pinecliffe, CO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 80471 is Cypher family — very gravelly coarse sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureVery gravelly coarse sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Cypher-Wetmore-Ratake 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 80471; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Pinecliffe, CO

Summer high73 °Faverage high, July
Winter low15 °Faverage low, February
Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights211nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days917base 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)
Precipitation22.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°32 °FJanuary: average high 33 °F, low 16 °F 33°16° JanFebruary: average high 34 °F, low 15 °F 34°15° FebMarch: average high 41 °F, low 20 °F 41°20° MarApril: average high 46 °F, low 24 °F 46°24° AprMay: average high 55 °F, low 33 °F 55°33° MayJune: average high 67 °F, low 41 °F 67°41° JunJuly: average high 73 °F, low 48 °F 73°48° JulAugust: average high 71 °F, low 46 °F 71°46° AugSeptember: average high 64 °F, low 39 °F 64°39° SepOctober: average high 52 °F, low 30 °F 52°30° OctNovember: average high 41 °F, low 21 °F 41°21° NovDecember: average high 33 °F, low 15 °F 33°15° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″January: 0.88 in precipitation 0.9 JanFebruary: 1.19 in precipitation 1.2 FebMarch: 2.41 in precipitation 2.4 MarApril: 3.48 in precipitation 3.5 AprMay: 3.29 in precipitation 3.3 MayJune: 1.90 in precipitation 1.9 JunJuly: 2.29 in precipitation 2.3 JulAugust: 1.95 in precipitation 1.9 AugSeptember: 1.89 in precipitation 1.9 SepOctober: 1.56 in precipitation 1.6 OctNovember: 1.15 in precipitation 1.1 NovDecember: 0.93 in precipitation 0.9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Coal Creek Canyon, CO (3 mi away); precipitation: Nederland 5.8 E, CO (3 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.

800256a
Eldorado Springs, CO · 6 mi
803086a
Boulder, CO · 7 mi
803026a
Boulder, CO · 7 mi
804665b
Nederland, CO · 8 mi
804745b
Rollinsville, CO · 8 mi
804225b
Black Hawk, CO · 8 mi
804035b
Golden, CO · 9 mi
803056a
Boulder, CO · 10 mi

Colorado planting zones →

Questions about 80471

What planting zone is ZIP code 80471?

ZIP code 80471 (Pinecliffe, 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 Pinecliffe, CO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 80471 is June 5; after June 19 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Coal Creek Canyon station.

When is the first frost in Pinecliffe, CO?

The median first fall frost near 80471 is September 16, giving a median frost-free growing season of 103 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 80471?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 10 – Apr 24 and set transplants outside around Jun 12 – Jun 26, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 80471 get?

About 22.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Nederland 5.8 E station).

How hot do summers get in Pinecliffe, CO?

The average high peaks at 73 °F in July, with about 0 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 80471 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cypher family at the center of ZIP 80471: very gravelly coarse sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Pinecliffe, CO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 80471 came on Mar 17 in 2026, 42 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 28), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Pinecliffe, CO?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 80471 is 15 h 00 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).