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

Planting zone for 81610 — Dinosaur, CO

ZIP code 81610 (Dinosaur, Moffat County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost October 14.

Where ZIP 81610 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.

Zone6a−10 to −5 °F
Coldest night−23.3 to −20.6 °C
Last frostMay 2
First frostOct 14
2012 zone6a

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 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Dinosaur, 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 Dinosaur, CO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 2median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 17only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 14median — 10% chance by Sep 30
Growing season161 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 20 and returns around October 24.

From the NOAA station Dinosaur 2 E, CO — 7 miles away, elevation 6,063 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 81610

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 11
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
TomatoesTransplant · May 9 – May 23
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 16 – May 30
BeansSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 19 – Sep 2
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 30 – Nov 4
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 2) and first fall frost (Oct 14) 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 81610 came on Mar 20 — 23 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 12).

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 6a in Colorado

563 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Colorado, and rated by the USDA to survive −10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 28

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 104

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 251

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 167

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 4

riverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Ftrumpet creeper2 ft · blooms summer · high shade tolerance · to −13 °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 Dinosaur, CO.

Soil in Dinosaur, CO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 81610 is Torriorthents — channery sandy loam, well drained.

TextureChannery sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH7.9alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Rock outcrop-Torriorthents complex, 50 to 75 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 81610; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Dinosaur, CO

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July
Winter low14 °Faverage low, January
Hot days48days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights149nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,937base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 03 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 18 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation11.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 31 °F, low 14 °F 31°14° JanFebruary: average high 37 °F, low 20 °F 37°20° FebMarch: average high 50 °F, low 29 °F 50°29° MarApril: average high 60 °F, low 35 °F 60°35° AprMay: average high 71 °F, low 44 °F 71°44° MayJune: average high 83 °F, low 54 °F 83°54° JunJuly: average high 91 °F, low 61 °F 91°61° JulAugust: average high 88 °F, low 59 °F 88°59° AugSeptember: average high 77 °F, low 50 °F 77°50° SepOctober: average high 61 °F, low 39 °F 61°39° OctNovember: average high 45 °F, low 27 °F 45°27° NovDecember: average high 32 °F, low 16 °F 32°16° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″January: 0.77 in precipitation 0.8 JanFebruary: 0.78 in precipitation 0.8 FebMarch: 0.88 in precipitation 0.9 MarApril: 1.05 in precipitation 1.1 AprMay: 1.16 in precipitation 1.2 MayJune: 0.79 in precipitation 0.8 JunJuly: 0.68 in precipitation 0.7 JulAugust: 0.88 in precipitation 0.9 AugSeptember: 1.31 in precipitation 1.3 SepOctober: 1.28 in precipitation 1.3 OctNovember: 0.78 in precipitation 0.8 NovDecember: 0.79 in precipitation 0.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Dinosaur 2 E, CO (7 mi away); precipitation: Dinosaur 2 E, CO (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

816335b
Dinosaur, CO · 21 mi
840355b
Jensen, UT · 25 mi
840086a
Bonanza, UT · 26 mi
816486a
Rangely, CO · 27 mi
816406a
Maybell, CO · 31 mi
840785b
Vernal, UT · 37 mi
840796a
Vernal, UT · 38 mi
840635b
Randlett, UT · 45 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in Dinosaur → · Colorado planting zones →

Questions about 81610

What planting zone is ZIP code 81610?

ZIP code 81610 (Dinosaur, CO) is in USDA hardiness zone 6a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −10 to −5 °F (−23.3 to −20.6 °C).

When is the last frost in Dinosaur, CO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 81610 is May 2; after May 17 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Dinosaur 2 E station.

When is the first frost in Dinosaur, CO?

The median first fall frost near 81610 is October 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 161 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 81610?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 7 – Mar 21 and set transplants outside around May 9 – May 23, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 81610 get?

About 11.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Dinosaur 2 E station).

How hot do summers get in Dinosaur, CO?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 48 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 81610 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Torriorthents at the center of ZIP 81610: channery sandy loam, well drained, pH about 7.9 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Dinosaur, CO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 81610 came on Mar 20 in 2026, 23 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 12), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Dinosaur, CO?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 81610 is 15 h 03 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).