Fall foliage to come early this year according to experts

MUELLER STATE PARK, Colo. (KRDO) -- It's no secret that Colorado has seen extreme drought this season, and according to experts, it will have an effect on leaf-peeping this year.

Southern Colorado could begin to see fall foliage a bit early this year, according to Dr. Dan West, an entomologist with the Colorado State Forest Service.

West said drought conditions in much of the state are having an effect on aspen trees. He said as of the beginning of September, about 93% of Colorado was either in a moderate or extreme drought.

But he also says extreme cold could impact the leaves as well. He says extreme cold or snow may cause them to turn brown.

"So we really need those warm sunny days, followed by cool nights and not cold night so of curse any type of frost or frozen events cause the leaves to turn brown or black and pretty much ends our show," West said.

Mueller State Park, one of the closest areas for Southern Coloradans to view the blanket of colors, is still seeing green leaves, but experts expect to see a change of colors at the end of September.

"Some of those colors aren't going to be as vibrant because because the stress that we see from drought means the leaves turn brown," he said.

West says much of Northern Colorado is already seeing fall foliage and says every year, Colorado Aspen trees change from North to South.