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

Planting zone for 80517 — Estes Park, CO

ZIP code 80517 (Estes Park, Larimer County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 30 and the first fall frost September 17.

Where ZIP 80517 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 frostMay 30
First frostSep 17
2012 zone5a

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 5a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Estes Park, 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 Estes Park, CO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 30median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 14only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 17median — 10% chance by Sep 3
Growing season109 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 16 and returns around September 28.

From the NOAA station Estes Park 3 Sse, CO — 6 miles away, elevation 7,812 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 80517

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 9
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 9 – May 23
Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 2 – May 16
PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 9 – May 23
LettuceSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23
TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
TomatoesTransplant · Jun 6 – Jun 20
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 13 – Jun 27
BeansSow outdoors · Jun 6 – Jun 20
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 6 – Jun 20
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 6 – Jun 20
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 23 – Aug 6
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 3 – Oct 8
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 30) and first fall frost (Sep 17) 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 80517 came on Apr 25 — 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 11).

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.

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 95

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 239

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 159

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 Estes Park, CO.

Soil in Estes Park, CO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 80517 is Nanita — moderately decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureModerately decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH5.6moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter85%high
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Nanita very gravelly sandy loam, 10 to 60 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 80517; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Estes Park, CO

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July
Winter low16 °Faverage low, January
Hot days2days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights184nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,377base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 04 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 17 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation17.4 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall104 inper year; 112 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 37 °F, low 16 °F 37°16° JanFebruary: average high 38 °F, low 16 °F 38°16° FebMarch: average high 45 °F, low 21 °F 45°21° MarApril: average high 52 °F, low 26 °F 52°26° AprMay: average high 61 °F, low 35 °F 61°35° MayJune: average high 74 °F, low 43 °F 74°43° JunJuly: average high 80 °F, low 48 °F 80°48° JulAugust: average high 78 °F, low 46 °F 78°46° AugSeptember: average high 70 °F, low 39 °F 70°39° SepOctober: average high 57 °F, low 30 °F 57°30° OctNovember: average high 44 °F, low 24 °F 44°24° NovDecember: average high 36 °F, low 16 °F 36°16° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″January: 0.82 in precipitation, 9.8 in snowfall 0.8❄10 JanFebruary: 0.68 in precipitation, 13.3 in snowfall 0.7❄13 FebMarch: 1.58 in precipitation, 18.8 in snowfall 1.6❄19 MarApril: 2.26 in precipitation, 19.3 in snowfall 2.3❄19 AprMay: 2.27 in precipitation, 9.5 in snowfall 2.3❄10 MayJune: 1.37 in precipitation 1.4 JunJuly: 2.55 in precipitation 2.5 JulAugust: 1.71 in precipitation 1.7 AugSeptember: 1.65 in precipitation, 0.5 in snowfall 1.6❄1 SepOctober: 1.12 in precipitation, 9.1 in snowfall 1.1❄9 OctNovember: 0.74 in precipitation, 11 in snowfall 0.7❄11 NovDecember: 0.67 in precipitation, 12.7 in snowfall 0.7❄13 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Estes Park 3 Sse, CO (6 mi away); precipitation: Estes Park 3 Sse, CO (6 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.

805325b
Glen Haven, CO · 10 mi
805105b
Allenspark, CO · 13 mi
804475a
Grand Lake, CO · 13 mi
805155b
Drake, CO · 13 mi
805115b
Estes Park, CO · 16 mi
805125b
Bellvue, CO · 16 mi
805405b
Lyons, CO · 16 mi
804815b
Ward, CO · 21 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in Estes Park → · Colorado planting zones →

Questions about 80517

What planting zone is ZIP code 80517?

ZIP code 80517 (Estes Park, 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 Estes Park, CO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 80517 is May 30; after June 14 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Estes Park 3 Sse station.

When is the first frost in Estes Park, CO?

The median first fall frost near 80517 is September 17, giving a median frost-free growing season of 109 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 80517?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 4 – Apr 18 and set transplants outside around Jun 6 – Jun 20, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 80517 get?

About 17.4 inches of precipitation a year and 104 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Estes Park 3 Sse station).

How hot do summers get in Estes Park, CO?

The average high peaks at 80 °F in July, with about 2 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 80517 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Nanita at the center of ZIP 80517: moderately decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 5.6 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Estes Park, CO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 80517 came on Apr 25 in 2026, 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 11), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Estes Park, CO?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 80517 is 15 h 04 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).