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

Planting zone for 80812 — Cope, CO

ZIP code 80812 (Cope, Washington County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost October 9.

Where ZIP 80812 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 3
First frostOct 9
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 Cope, 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 Cope, CO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 3median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 15only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 9median — 10% chance by Sep 29
Growing season158 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 24 and returns around October 18.

From the NOAA station Joes, CO — 8 miles away, elevation 4,275 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 80812

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 12
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 12 – Apr 26
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
TomatoesTransplant · May 10 – May 24
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 17 – May 31
BeansSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 14 – Aug 28
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 25 – Oct 30
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 3) and first fall frost (Oct 9) 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 80812 came on Mar 1 — 23 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 24).

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 Cope, CO.

Soil in Cope, CO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 80812 is Ascalon — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Ascalon sandy loam, 0 to 3 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 80812; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Cope, CO

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July
Winter low15 °Faverage low, January
Hot days50days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights164nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,135base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 59 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 22 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation17.5 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall30 inper year; 35 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 44 °F, low 15 °F 44°15° JanFebruary: average high 46 °F, low 18 °F 46°18° FebMarch: average high 57 °F, low 26 °F 57°26° MarApril: average high 64 °F, low 34 °F 64°34° AprMay: average high 73 °F, low 45 °F 73°45° MayJune: average high 85 °F, low 55 °F 85°55° JunJuly: average high 89 °F, low 60 °F 89°60° JulAugust: average high 88 °F, low 58 °F 88°58° AugSeptember: average high 81 °F, low 49 °F 81°49° SepOctober: average high 67 °F, low 36 °F 67°36° OctNovember: average high 54 °F, low 25 °F 54°25° NovDecember: average high 44 °F, low 16 °F 44°16° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″January: 0.43 in precipitation, 5.3 in snowfall 0.4❄5 JanFebruary: 0.40 in precipitation, 3.8 in snowfall 0.4❄4 FebMarch: 0.80 in precipitation, 4.6 in snowfall 0.8❄5 MarApril: 1.80 in precipitation, 3.3 in snowfall 1.8❄3 AprMay: 2.61 in precipitation, 0.4 in snowfall 2.6 MayJune: 2.88 in precipitation 2.9 JunJuly: 2.95 in precipitation 3.0 JulAugust: 2.22 in precipitation 2.2 AugSeptember: 1.23 in precipitation, 0.4 in snowfall 1.2 SepOctober: 1.17 in precipitation, 2.4 in snowfall 1.2❄2 OctNovember: 0.51 in precipitation, 4 in snowfall 0.5❄4 NovDecember: 0.51 in precipitation, 5.8 in snowfall 0.5❄6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Joes, CO (8 mi away); precipitation: Joes, CO (8 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

808225b
Joes, CO · 9 mi
808015b
Anton, CO · 16 mi
808245b
Kirk, CO · 18 mi
808616a
Vona, CO · 22 mi
808155b
Flagler, CO · 22 mi
808345b
Seibert, CO · 23 mi
808366a
Stratton, CO · 26 mi
808045b
Arriba, CO · 30 mi

Colorado planting zones →

Questions about 80812

What planting zone is ZIP code 80812?

ZIP code 80812 (Cope, 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 Cope, CO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 80812 is May 3; after May 15 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Joes station.

When is the first frost in Cope, CO?

The median first fall frost near 80812 is October 9, giving a median frost-free growing season of 158 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 80812?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 8 – Mar 22 and set transplants outside around May 10 – May 24, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 80812 get?

About 17.5 inches of precipitation a year and 30 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Joes station).

How hot do summers get in Cope, CO?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 50 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 80812 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ascalon at the center of ZIP 80812: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Cope, CO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 80812 came on Mar 1 in 2026, 23 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Cope, CO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 80812 is 14 h 59 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.