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

Planting zone for 80488 — Steamboat Springs, CO

ZIP code 80488 (Steamboat Springs, Routt County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is June 9 and the first fall frost September 12.

Where ZIP 80488 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.

Zone4b−25 to −20 °F
Coldest night−31.7 to −28.9 °C
Last frostJun 9
First frostSep 12
2012 zone4a

Was 4a 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 4b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Steamboat Springs, 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 Steamboat Springs, CO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostJune 9median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 24only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 12median — 10% chance by Aug 31
Growing season93 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 20 and returns around September 23.

From the NOAA station Steamboat Springs, CO — 9 miles away, elevation 6,867 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 80488

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 19
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 19 – Jun 2
Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 12 – May 26
PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2
LettuceSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2
TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
TomatoesTransplant · Jun 16 – Jun 30
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 23 – Jul 7
BeansSow outdoors · Jun 16 – Jun 30
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 16 – Jun 30
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 16 – Jun 30
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 18 – Aug 1
GarlicPlant cloves · Aug 29 – Oct 3
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 9) and first fall frost (Sep 12) 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 80488 came on Apr 3 — 26 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 29).

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 4b in Colorado

484 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Colorado, and rated by the USDA to survive −25 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 4b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 26

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 78

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 °FBarclay's willow15 ft · high shade tolerance · to −43 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 221

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 147

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 Steamboat Springs, CO.

Soil in Steamboat Springs, CO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 80488 is Namela — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter75%high
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Namela-Rogert, very flaggy-Rock outcrop complex, 35 to 75 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 80488; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Steamboat Springs, CO

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July
Winter low5 °Faverage low, January
Hot days6days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights233nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,359base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 05 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 16 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation37.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

−10°0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 29 °F, low 5 °F 29°5° JanFebruary: average high 34 °F, low 8 °F 34°8° FebMarch: average high 45 °F, low 18 °F 45°18° MarApril: average high 54 °F, low 27 °F 54°27° AprMay: average high 65 °F, low 34 °F 65°34° MayJune: average high 76 °F, low 39 °F 76°39° JunJuly: average high 83 °F, low 46 °F 83°46° JulAugust: average high 82 °F, low 44 °F 82°44° AugSeptember: average high 74 °F, low 36 °F 74°36° SepOctober: average high 59 °F, low 26 °F 59°26° OctNovember: average high 43 °F, low 16 °F 43°16° NovDecember: average high 30 °F, low 6 °F 30°6° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 4.47 in precipitation 4.5 JanFebruary: 4.25 in precipitation 4.3 FebMarch: 3.70 in precipitation 3.7 MarApril: 4.64 in precipitation 4.6 AprMay: 3.29 in precipitation 3.3 MayJune: 1.58 in precipitation 1.6 JunJuly: 1.17 in precipitation 1.2 JulAugust: 1.24 in precipitation 1.2 AugSeptember: 2.34 in precipitation 2.3 SepOctober: 3.18 in precipitation 3.2 OctNovember: 3.80 in precipitation 3.8 NovDecember: 4.06 in precipitation 4.1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Steamboat Springs, CO (9 mi away); precipitation: Dry Lake, CO (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

804875b
Steamboat Springs, CO · 3 mi
804774b
Steamboat Springs, CO · 9 mi
804285a
Clark, CO · 16 mi
816395a
Hayden, CO · 21 mi
804304b
Coalmont, CO · 24 mi
804804b
Walden, CO · 27 mi
816535b
Slater, CO · 28 mi
804675a
Oak Creek, CO · 29 mi

All 3 ZIP codes in Steamboat Springs → · Colorado planting zones →

Questions about 80488

What planting zone is ZIP code 80488?

ZIP code 80488 (Steamboat Springs, CO) is in USDA hardiness zone 4b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −25 to −20 °F (−31.7 to −28.9 °C).

When is the last frost in Steamboat Springs, CO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 80488 is June 9; after June 24 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Steamboat Springs station.

When is the first frost in Steamboat Springs, CO?

The median first fall frost near 80488 is September 12, giving a median frost-free growing season of 93 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 80488?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 14 – Apr 28 and set transplants outside around Jun 16 – Jun 30, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 80488 get?

About 37.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Dry Lake station).

How hot do summers get in Steamboat Springs, CO?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 6 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 80488 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Namela at the center of ZIP 80488: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Steamboat Springs, CO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 80488 came on Apr 3 in 2026, 26 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 29), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Steamboat Springs, CO?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 80488 is 15 h 05 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 80488 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 80488 in zone 4a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.