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

Planting zone for 80808 — Calhan, CO

ZIP code 80808 (Calhan, El Paso County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 9 and the first fall frost October 4.

Where ZIP 80808 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 frostMay 9

First frostOct 4

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 Calhan, 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 Calhan, CO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 9median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 22only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 4median — 10% chance by Sep 21

Growing season146 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 30 and returns around October 12.

From the NOAA station Rush 1n, CO — 15 miles away, elevation 6,053 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 80808

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 18

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

TomatoesTransplant · May 16 – May 30

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 23 – Jun 6

BeansSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 9 – Aug 23

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 20 – Oct 25

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 9) and first fall frost (Oct 4) 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 80808 came on Mar 1 — 34 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 4).

average
Apr 42026
Mar 1

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 Calhan, CO.

Soil in Calhan, CO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 80808 is Bresser — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH6.8neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Bresser sandy loam, cool, 5 to 9 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 80808; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Calhan, CO

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July

Winter low16 °Faverage low, January

Hot days19days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights181nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,462base 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

Precipitation17.4 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: Rush 1n, CO (15 mi away); precipitation: Calhan 3.1 N, CO (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Colorado Springs, CO · 18 mi

809275b

Colorado Springs, CO · 20 mi

809386a

Colorado Springs, CO · 20 mi

809296a

Colorado Springs, CO · 21 mi

808355b

Simla, CO · 21 mi

809085b

Colorado Springs, CO · 21 mi

Colorado planting zones →

Questions about 80808

What planting zone is ZIP code 80808?

ZIP code 80808 (Calhan, 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 Calhan, CO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 80808 is May 9; after May 22 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Rush 1n station.

When is the first frost in Calhan, CO?

The median first fall frost near 80808 is October 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 146 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 80808?

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

How much rain and snow does 80808 get?

About 17.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Calhan 3.1 N station).

How hot do summers get in Calhan, CO?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 19 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 80808 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Bresser at the center of ZIP 80808: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 6.8 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Calhan, CO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 80808 came on Mar 1 in 2026, 34 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 4), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Calhan, CO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 80808 is 14 h 55 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.