Planting zone for 80860 — Victor, CO
ZIP code 80860 (Victor, 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 80860 is
Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoomNot 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.
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 ServiceLoading the forecast for Victor, 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 Victor, CO
A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 14 and returns around October 4.
From the NOAA station Cripple Creek 3nnw, CO — 9 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 80860
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 80860 came on Apr 15 — 24 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 9).
May 92026
Apr 15
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
Shrubs 98
Wildflowers & perennials 246
Grasses 163
Vines 3
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 Victor, CO.
Soil in Victor, CO
The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 80860 is Ivywild — slightly decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained.
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 80860; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.
Climate in Victor, CO
Average high and low, by month
Precipitation by month inches
NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Cripple Creek 3nnw, CO (9 mi away); precipitation: Cripple Creek 3nnw, CO (9 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.
Questions about 80860
What planting zone is ZIP code 80860?
ZIP code 80860 (Victor, 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 Victor, CO?
The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 80860 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 Victor, CO?
The median first fall frost near 80860 is September 26, giving a median frost-free growing season of 121 days.
When should I plant tomatoes in 80860?
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 80860 get?
About 18 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cripple Creek 3nnw station).
How hot do summers get in Victor, 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 80860 have?
The USDA soil survey maps Ivywild at the center of ZIP 80860: slightly decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).
Did spring come early in Victor, CO in 2026?
Spring leaf-out near 80860 came on Apr 15 in 2026, 24 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 9), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.
What kind of onions grow in Victor, CO?
Intermediate onions: the longest day near 80860 is 14 h 53 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.
Did the zone for 80860 change?
Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 80860 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.