The beautiful aspen is the quintessential Colorado tree. We've named towns, streets, dogs and our beer after this glorious tree. In the summer, the aspens provide shade for our state flower, the columbine; and when fall foliage comes on the scene, Coloradans rejoice as the aspens' gently tinkling leaves turn a vibrant shade of gold.
The month of September is the ideal time to witness a gilded aspen spectacle on a scenic drive in Colorado, but you have to time it right: The color lasts only about a week in most places. It's difficult to predict when exactly the leaves will turn in any given location. The best strategy is select travel dates in advance, but not destinations. Then go wherever the color is.
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