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

Planting zone for 80813 — Cripple Creek, CO

ZIP code 80813 (Cripple Creek, Teller County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 26 and the first fall frost September 26.

Where ZIP 80813 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 26
First frostSep 26
2012 zone5a

Was 5a 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 5b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Cripple Creek, 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 Cripple Creek, CO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 26median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 9only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 26median — 10% chance by Sep 13
Growing season121 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 14 and returns around October 4.

From the NOAA station Cripple Creek 3nnw, CO — 5 miles away, elevation 9,236 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 80813

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 14 – May 5
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 5 – May 19
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 5 – May 19
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
TomatoesTransplant · Jun 2 – Jun 16
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 9 – Jun 23
BeansSow outdoors · Jun 2 – Jun 16
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 2 – Jun 16
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 2 – Jun 16
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 1 – Aug 15
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 12 – Oct 17
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 26) and first fall frost (Sep 26) 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 80813 came on Apr 15 — 29 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 14).

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).

Soil in Cripple Creek, CO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 80813 is Ivywild — slightly decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter45%high
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Ivywild-Catamount complex, 30 to 70 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 80813; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Cripple Creek, CO

Summer high76 °Faverage high, July
Winter low14 °Faverage low, January
Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights198nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,176base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 53 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 27 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation18 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 34 °F, low 14 °F 34°14° JanFebruary: average high 36 °F, low 15 °F 36°15° FebMarch: average high 43 °F, low 21 °F 43°21° MarApril: average high 49 °F, low 26 °F 49°26° AprMay: average high 59 °F, low 34 °F 59°34° MayJune: average high 71 °F, low 44 °F 71°44° JunJuly: average high 76 °F, low 49 °F 76°49° JulAugust: average high 72 °F, low 47 °F 72°47° AugSeptember: average high 67 °F, low 41 °F 67°41° SepOctober: average high 55 °F, low 30 °F 55°30° OctNovember: average high 43 °F, low 23 °F 43°23° NovDecember: average high 34 °F, low 14 °F 34°14° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″January: 0.51 in precipitation 0.5 JanFebruary: 0.55 in precipitation 0.6 FebMarch: 1.31 in precipitation 1.3 MarApril: 1.67 in precipitation 1.7 AprMay: 1.81 in precipitation 1.8 MayJune: 1.77 in precipitation 1.8 JunJuly: 3.20 in precipitation 3.2 JulAugust: 3.43 in precipitation 3.4 AugSeptember: 1.71 in precipitation 1.7 SepOctober: 0.89 in precipitation 0.9 OctNovember: 0.57 in precipitation 0.6 NovDecember: 0.56 in precipitation 0.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Cripple Creek 3nnw, CO (5 mi away); precipitation: Cripple Creek 3nnw, 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.

808605b
Victor, CO · 4 mi
808095b
Cascade, CO · 9 mi
808295b
Manitou Springs, CO · 11 mi
808165a
Florissant, CO · 13 mi
809066a
Colorado Springs, CO · 13 mi
808145b
Divide, CO · 14 mi
809266a
Colorado Springs, CO · 14 mi
808195b
Green Mountain Falls, CO · 15 mi

Colorado planting zones →

Questions about 80813

What planting zone is ZIP code 80813?

ZIP code 80813 (Cripple Creek, 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 Cripple Creek, CO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 80813 is May 26; after June 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cripple Creek 3nnw station.

When is the first frost in Cripple Creek, CO?

The median first fall frost near 80813 is September 26, giving a median frost-free growing season of 121 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 80813?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 31 – Apr 14 and set transplants outside around Jun 2 – Jun 16, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 80813 get?

About 18 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cripple Creek 3nnw station).

How hot do summers get in Cripple Creek, CO?

The average high peaks at 76 °F in July, with about 0 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 80813 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ivywild at the center of ZIP 80813: slightly decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Cripple Creek, CO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 80813 came on Apr 15 in 2026, 29 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 14), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Cripple Creek, CO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 80813 is 14 h 53 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 80813 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 80813 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.