Colorado Springs in September: The Month the Locals Have Been Waiting For
If you ask me what the best month to visit Colorado Springs is, I’ll tell you September without thinking twice. I’ve lived here for over twenty years, and September is when this city really hits its stride. The summer tourists have gone home, the weather cools down just enough to make everything comfortable, and the aspens up in the mountains start turning gold. It’s the sweet spot — and most people don’t even know about it.
I chose Colorado Springs over every other city in America. I worked for Delta Airlines and visited just about everywhere. And I’m telling you: September in the Springs is something special. Here’s what you need to know.
The Weather: Why September Is Perfect
September weather in Colorado Springs is about as close to perfect as you’ll find anywhere in the country. Daytime highs run in the low 70s to low 80s — warm enough for shorts and a T-shirt, cool enough that you’re not drenched in sweat by noon. Mornings start in the upper 40s or low 50s, which is ideal for early hikes before things warm up.
Here’s the thing most people don’t realize: September is drier than July and August. The afternoon monsoon thunderstorms that roll through all summer start tapering off significantly by mid-September. You’ll still get the occasional afternoon shower — this is Colorado, after all — but the pattern of “gorgeous morning, storms by 2 PM” that defines July and August calms down considerably. According to the National Weather Service in Pueblo, Colorado Springs averages about 1.3 inches of rain in September compared to 2.5-3 inches in July and August. That’s a big difference when you’re planning outdoor activities.
And the sunshine — we get over 300 sunny days a year here, and September delivers some of the best. The light gets softer and warmer as the month goes on, especially in the golden hour before sunset. If you’re a photographer, September evenings at Garden of the Gods are absolutely stunning.
One thing to be ready for: the temperature swings can be dramatic. A 30-degree difference between morning and afternoon isn’t unusual. You’ll want layers. I’ll talk more about what to pack at the end.
Hiking Season Hits Its Peak
September is hands-down the best month for hiking in Colorado Springs. The weather is ideal, the trails are less crowded than summer, and you’re not dealing with ice or snow at the higher elevations yet. Everything is accessible.
The hiking trails around the Springs are incredible year-round, but in September they hit different. Ute Valley Park — right in my neighborhood on the west side — is quiet in the mornings. I’m out there multiple times a week, and in September I might see a handful of people on the trail before 8 AM. In July, those same trails are packed by 7.
If you want something more ambitious, the Manitou Incline is still open and the cooler temps make it much more tolerable than mid-summer. Barr Trail up Pikes Peak is accessible through mid-to-late September most years, depending on when the first real snow hits. And trails like Palmer Park, Red Rock Canyon, and North Cheyenne Canon are all in prime condition.
One of my favorite September hikes is the Crags Trail near Divide — it’s about 45 minutes west of town, up at around 10,000 feet, and by late September the aspens along the approach road are turning gold. The trail itself takes you through a boulder field to incredible views of the back side of Pikes Peak. It’s moderate difficulty and only about 4 miles round trip.
E-Biking Weather Gets Even Better
I e-bike around Colorado Springs regularly, and September is when I ride the most. The summer heat is gone, the trails are dry, and you can ride for two or three hours without overheating. My regular loop takes me through Ute Valley Park, down through the trail system, through Garden of the Gods, and back home — about 25 miles total. In September, with the cottonwoods starting to turn yellow along the creek paths, it’s one of the prettiest rides of the year.
The city has an excellent network of paved trails connecting parks and neighborhoods. If you’re visiting and want to rent an e-bike, September is the month to do it. You’ll have comfortable temps, dry trails, and views that look like a Colorado tourism ad.
Outdoor Dining Is at Its Best
Colorado Springs has a solid restaurant scene, and the patios are where it’s at in September. The summer heat has broken, the evenings are cool and pleasant, and restaurants keep their outdoor seating open through the end of the month — sometimes into October if the weather cooperates.
Old Colorado City on the west side has several restaurants with great patios. The OCC Brewing rooftop has direct views of Pikes Peak, and sitting up there on a September evening with a local craft beer is one of my favorite things to do in this city. Amanda’s Fonda has a patio on West Colorado Avenue that’s perfect for dinner as the sun goes down behind the foothills.
Downtown has been building out its restaurant scene too. Ivywild School — a converted elementary school turned food hall — has an outdoor courtyard that’s ideal in September. And the craft brewery scene is thriving, with patios at Red Leg, Goat Patch, and Bristol all worth hitting before the season winds down.
September Events Worth Your Time
September brings some of the best events of the year in Colorado Springs. These aren’t massive tourist draws — they’re community-centered events that locals actually enjoy.
Colorado Springs Labor Day Liftoff (early September). This is the big one. Over 70 hot air balloons launch from Memorial Park at sunrise, and the sight of them drifting over the city with Pikes Peak in the background is genuinely breathtaking. It’s free to attend, and the early morning timing means you’ll experience that crisp September dawn I keep talking about. The event typically runs the Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day weekend, with a balloon glow on Saturday night. Get there early — parking fills up fast. The Labor Day Liftoff website has the full schedule.
Commonwheel Artists Adventure Festival (Labor Day weekend). This art festival happens in Memorial Park in Manitou Springs — over 100 artists showing and selling their work. It’s been running for decades and it’s a great way to kick off September. Free admission, and Manitou itself is worth exploring while you’re there.
Chile & Frijoles Festival (late September). This one speaks to my New Mexico soul. Pueblo hosts this festival about 40 minutes south of the Springs, celebrating the harvest of Pueblo chile peppers. The smell of roasting chile filling the air is something everyone should experience at least once. It’s a great day trip.
Oktoberfest events. Several local breweries and venues host Oktoberfest celebrations starting in mid-September. It’s not Munich, but with the mountains in the background and the fall weather setting in, it’s a great excuse to drink good beer outdoors.
Harvest festivals and farmers markets. The Saturday farmers market at Acacia Park keeps going strong through September, and several farms on the outskirts of town open for u-pick pumpkins and apple cider later in the month. The Venetucci Farm pumpkin patch is a local tradition that’s been around forever.
Fall Colors Starting to Show
Here’s what makes September special beyond just the weather: fall foliage begins. The aspens at higher elevations — above 9,000 feet — start turning gold in mid-to-late September, and by the last week of the month, the show is in full swing up in the mountains.
You won’t see the full peak in town until early October in most years. But the drives west into the mountains — Highway 67 to Cripple Creek, Rampart Range Road, and the roads around Woodland Park — start showing serious color by the third week of September. I’ve written a whole fall foliage guide with all the best spots and timing.
Even in town, the cottonwoods along the creek paths and the oaks in the foothills start changing. It’s subtle at first — a golden branch here, a splash of orange there — but it builds through the month. By October, it’s everywhere.
The Crowd Situation: Locals Reclaim Everything
This might be the biggest reason I love September in Colorado Springs. The tourists go home.
Garden of the Gods goes from bumper-to-bumper traffic and full parking lots in July to manageable — even quiet — by mid-September. The hiking trails thin out. Restaurant wait times drop. You can actually find parking at Manitou Springs. Everything just… opens up.
It’s not that I don’t welcome visitors — I do, and this city is worth visiting any time of year. But there’s something about September that feels like the locals get their city back. The energy shifts. People are out on the trails, at the breweries, at the parks, and they’re relaxed because the summer rush is over.
If you’re planning a visit and you have flexibility on timing, September is your month. You’ll get better hotel rates than peak summer, shorter lines everywhere, and a more authentic experience of what Colorado Springs actually feels like day-to-day.
What to Pack for September in Colorado Springs
Packing for September here is all about layers. Here’s what I’d tell anyone visiting:
- Morning layers: A light fleece or hoodie for early mornings and evenings. It can be in the upper 40s at sunrise and 80 by noon. You’ll want something you can tie around your waist once it warms up.
- Daytime basics: Shorts, T-shirts, comfortable walking shoes. You’ll be fine in summer clothes during the afternoon.
- Sun protection: Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. At 6,035 feet elevation, the UV is stronger than you think. You’ll burn faster than at sea level, even when it doesn’t feel hot.
- Rain layer: A light packable rain jacket, just in case. September storms are less frequent than summer, but they happen. A 15-minute afternoon shower can roll through and be gone before you’ve finished your beer.
- Evening warmth: A light jacket for dinner outdoors. Once the sun goes down, temps drop quickly. A perfect 75-degree afternoon can turn into a 50-degree evening by 8 PM.
- Hiking shoes: If you’re planning any trails — and you should be — bring real hiking shoes or trail runners. The terrain here is rocky and uneven in most places.
- Hydration: Bring a water bottle and use it. The altitude and dry air dehydrate you faster than you’d expect, even in cooler weather. This is the number one thing visitors underestimate.
Why I Love September Here
I’ve experienced Colorado Springs in September over twenty times now, and it never gets old. There’s a morning in late September — maybe a Tuesday, maybe a Thursday — when I’ll be on the trail at Ute Valley Park before work, the sun just barely over the ridgeline, the air cool and dry, the city quiet below. No crowds. No rush. Just the sound of my shoes on the dirt and a view that stretches to Kansas.
That’s Colorado Springs in September. The weather is ideal, the trails are open, the colors are starting, and the city feels like it belongs to the people who live here. If you’ve been thinking about visiting, this is your month. And if you already live here, you know exactly what I’m talking about.
Want to plan your trip? Check out the Visit Colorado Springs website for events and lodging, and browse our guides to Garden of the Gods, hiking trails, and scenic drives to build your itinerary.
About the Author: Dominic Ferrara has lived in Colorado Springs for over 20 years. After working for Delta Airlines and visiting just about every major city in the United States, he chose Colorado Springs for its scenery, sunshine, and outdoor lifestyle. He lives on the west side near Ute Valley Park, where he e-bikes, camps, and explores the mountains regularly. His recommendations come from two decades of eating, hiking, and living here — not from a weekend visit.
