Best fall color trees for the Colorado Front Range
Quick answer
107 plants make our list of best fall color trees for the Colorado Front Range. Examples include Bigtooth Maple (species), Boxelder 'Sensation' Maple, Gambel Oak, Highland Poplar (cottonwood), and Lanceleaf Poplar (cottonwood). Each is rated for Colorado Front Range conditions and drawn from the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List and regional extension references.
Trees that put on a real autumn show on the Front Range: reds, oranges, golds, and purples. Fall color intensity varies with the season, water, and site (and our alkaline soils can mute some species), but each tree below reliably colors up.
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Compare these trees at a glance
| Plant | Mature height | Water | Colorado native | Hardiness | Fall color |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bigtooth Maple (species) | 20–30 ft | low to medium water | Yes | USDA 4–8 | Orange, Red |
| Boxelder 'Sensation' Maple | 30–40 ft | low to medium water | Yes | USDA 2–9 | Yellow |
| Gambel Oak | 15–30 ft | low water | Yes | USDA 3–8 | Bronze, Red |
| Highland Poplar (cottonwood) | 50–70 ft | medium water | Yes | USDA 3–8 | Gold, Yellow |
| Lanceleaf Poplar (cottonwood) | 40–60 ft | medium water | Yes | USDA 3–8 | Gold, Yellow |
| Narrowleaf Poplar (cottonwood) | 30–50 ft | low to medium water | Yes | USDA 3–8 | Gold, Yellow |
| Plains 'Jeronimus' Poplar (cottonwood) | 50–70 ft | medium water | Yes | USDA 3–8 | Gold, Yellow |
| Quaking Aspen Poplar (cottonwood) | 20–50 ft | medium water | Yes | USDA 1–6 | Gold, Yellow |
| River/Douglas Hawthorn | 20–30 ft | medium water | Yes | USDA 4–8 | Orange, Red |
| Rocky Mountain Maple | 10–25 ft | medium to high water | Yes | USDA 4–8 | Orange, Red, Yellow |
| Rocky Mountain/Water Birch | 15–25 ft | medium to high water | Yes | USDA 3–7 | Gold, Yellow |
| Wavyleaf Oak | 6–15 ft | low water | Yes | USDA 4–8 | Bronze, Red |
Ordered Colorado-native first, then alphabetically, not a quality ranking. Full list below.
All 107 plants
Bigtooth Maple (species)Acer grandidentatum20–30 ftlow to medium waterColorado nativeUSDA 4–8
Boxelder 'Sensation' MapleAcer negundo30–40 ftlow to medium waterColorado nativeUSDA 2–9
Gambel OakQuercus gambelii15–30 ftlow waterColorado nativeUSDA 3–8
Highland Poplar (cottonwood)Populus x acuminata x sargentii50–70 ftmedium waterColorado nativeUSDA 3–8
Lanceleaf Poplar (cottonwood)Populus x acuminata40–60 ftmedium waterColorado nativeUSDA 3–8
Narrowleaf Poplar (cottonwood)Populus angustifolia30–50 ftlow to medium waterColorado nativeUSDA 3–8
Plains 'Jeronimus' Poplar (cottonwood)Populus deltoides subsp. monilifera50–70 ftmedium waterColorado nativeUSDA 3–8
Quaking Aspen Poplar (cottonwood)Populus tremuloides20–50 ftmedium waterColorado nativeUSDA 1–6
River/Douglas HawthornCrataegus douglasii20–30 ftmedium waterColorado nativeUSDA 4–8
Rocky Mountain MapleAcer glabrum10–25 ftmedium to high waterColorado nativeUSDA 4–8
Rocky Mountain/Water BirchBetula occidentalis15–25 ftmedium to high waterColorado nativeUSDA 3–7
Wavyleaf OakQuercus undulata6–15 ftlow waterColorado nativeUSDA 4–8
'Autumn Brilliance' ServiceberryAmelanchier x grandiflora15–25 ftmedium waterUSDA 3–8
'Emerald Sunshine'Ulmus propinqua35–45 ftmedium waterUSDA 4–9
'Frontier' ElmUlmus minor x U. parvifolia40–50 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 4–9
'Glenleven' LindenTilia x flavescens40–50 ftmedium waterUSDA 3–7
'Harvest Gold' LindenTilia cordata x mongolica40–50 ftmedium waterUSDA 3–7
'New Horizon' ElmUlmus japonica x U. pumila 'New Horizon'40–50 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 4–9
'Prospector' ElmUlmus davidiana var. japonica40–50 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 4–9
'Toba' HawthornCrataegus x mordenensis15–20 ftmedium waterUSDA 4–8
'Urban Pinnacle' OakQuercus macrocarpa 'Urban Pinnacle'45–55 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 3–8- ACCOLADE® ('Morton') ElmUlmus davidiana var. japonica50–60 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 4–9
all cultivars ElmUlmus parvifolia40–50 ftmedium waterUSDA 4–9
Allegheny ServiceberryAmelanchier laevis15–25 ftmedium waterUSDA 3–8
American ElmUlmus americana50–70 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 2–9
American YellowwoodCladrastis kentukea30–50 ftmedium waterUSDA 4–8
Amur/Ginnala MapleAcer tataricum subsp. ginnala15–20 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 3–8
Ash speciesFraxinus40–60 ftmedium waterUSDA 3–9
Asian White BirchBetula platyphylla30–40 ftmedium to high waterUSDA 3–7
Bartlett PearPyrus15–25 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 4–8
Bigtooth Maple (ROCKY MOUNTAIN GLOW®)Acer saccharum subsp. grandidentatum20–30 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 4–8- Bur OakQuercus macrocarpa60–80 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 3–8
Callery - 'Bradford'Pyrus calleryana30–50 ftmedium waterUSDA 5–9- Callery Pear (Aristocrat)Pyrus calleryana25–40 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 5–9
- Callery Pear (Capital)Pyrus calleryana25–35 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 5–9
Chinkapin OakQuercus muehlenbergii40–50 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 5–7
Cockspur var. inermis HawthornCrataegus crus-galli20–30 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 4–7
CoffeetreeGymnocladus dioicus50–70 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 3–8
Common HackberryCeltis occidentalis40–60 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 3–9
Cornelian Cherry DogwoodCornus mas15–25 ftmedium waterUSDA 4–8
David ElmUlmus davidiana40–50 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 4–9
Dawn RedwoodMetasequoia glyptostroboides60–80 ftmedium waterUSDA 4–8
Downy HawthornCrataegus mollis25–30 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 4–8
Eastern Poplar (cottonwood)Populus deltoides50–80 ftmedium to high waterUSDA 2–9
English 'Columnaris' OakQuercus robur45–55 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 4–8
English HawthornCrataegus laevigata18–25 ftmedium waterUSDA 4–8- English OakQuercus robur40–60 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 4–8
European LarchLarix decidua40–70 ftmedium to high waterUSDA 2–6
European Mountain-ash (CARDINAL ROYAL®)Sorbus aucuparia20–40 ftmedium waterUSDA 3–6- European Mountain-ash (species)Sorbus aucuparia20–40 ftmedium waterUSDA 3–6
European White BirchBetula pendula30–40 ftmedium to high waterUSDA 3–7
Freeman - 'Armstrong'Acer x freemanii40–60 ftmedium waterUSDA 4–8
Giant DogwoodCornus controversa30–50 ftmedium waterUSDA 4–8
Ginkgo/Maidenhair TreeGinkgo biloba40–70 ftmedium waterUSDA 4–9
Green HawthornCrataegus viridis20–30 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 4–8
Hedge MapleAcer campestre25–35 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 4–8
HERITAGE® OakQuercus robur x macrocarpa50–60 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 4–8- Jack'™ PearPyrus calleryana12–15 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 5–9
Japanese Zelkova 'Musashino'Zelkova serrata35–45 ftmedium waterUSDA 5–8
Katsura TreeCercidiphyllum japonicum40–60 ftmedium waterUSDA 4–8- Kentucky CoffeetreeGymnocladus dioicus60–75 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 3–8
LindenTilia americana50–75 ftmedium waterUSDA 2–8
Littleleaf LindenTilia cordata40–50 ftmedium waterUSDA 3–7
MapleAcer truncatum x platanoides35–40 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 4–8
Miyabe MapleAcer miyabei30–40 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 4–8- NORTHERN EMPRESS® ElmUlmus davidiana var. japonica25–30 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 4–9
Northern PinQuercus ellipsoidalis40–60 ftmedium waterUSDA 4–8
Norway MapleAcer platanoides40–50 ftmedium waterUSDA 3–7
Oak (CRIMSON SPIRE®)Quercus alba x robur40–50 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 4–8
Oak (REGAL PRINCE®)Quercus robur x bicolor40–50 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 4–8
Oak Leaf Mountain-ashSorbus x hybrida25–40 ftmedium waterUSDA 3–6
Paperbark MapleAcer griseum20–30 ftmedium waterUSDA 4–8
Pecan HickoryCarya illinoinensis50–70 ftmedium waterUSDA 4–9
Pin OakQuercus palustris50–70 ftmedium waterUSDA 4–8- PRAIRIE GOLD® Poplar (cottonwood)Populus tremuloides30–40 ftmedium waterUSDA 1–6
Red MapleAcer rubrum40–60 ftmedium waterUSDA 3–9
Red OakQuercus rubra60–75 ftmedium waterUSDA 4–8
River BirchBetula nigra40–70 ftmedium to high waterUSDA 4–9
Russian HawthornCrataegus ambigua15–20 ftlow waterUSDA 4–8
Saskatoon ServiceberryAmelanchier alnifolia10–20 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 2–7
Sawtooth OakQuercus acutissima40–60 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 4–8
Shadblow ServiceberryAmelanchier canadensis15–25 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 3–8
SHAWNEE BRAVE™ BaldcypressTaxodium distichum 'Mickelson'50–75 ftmedium to high waterUSDA 4–10
Shingle OakQuercus imbricaria50–60 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 4–8
Shumard OakQuercus shumardii40–60 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 5–9
Silver - all cultivars MapleAcer saccharinum50–70 ftmedium waterUSDA 3–9
Silver LindenTilia tomentosa50–70 ftmedium waterUSDA 3–7
Sugar Maple (Caddo John Pair)Acer saccharum40–50 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 4–8- Sugar Maple (GREEN MOUNTAIN®)Acer saccharum50–70 ftmedium waterUSDA 4–8
Swamp White OakQuercus bicolor50–60 ftmedium waterUSDA 4–8
Swedish Whitebeam Mountain-ashSorbus intermedia30–40 ftmedium waterUSDA 3–6
Tatarian HOT WINGS® MapleAcer tataricum15–25 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 4–8- Tatarian MapleAcer tataricum15–25 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 4–8
Texas Red OakQuercus buckleyi35–50 ftlow waterUSDA 4–8
Thornless Common Honeylocust (IMPERIAL®)Gleditsia triacanthos40–50 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 3–9- Thornless Common Honeylocust (NORTHERN ACCLAIM®)Gleditsia triacanthos30–45 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 3–9
- Thornless Common Honeylocust (SUNBURST®)Gleditsia triacanthos30–40 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 3–9
TowerPopulus x canescens 'Tower'40–50 ftmedium to high waterUSDA 3–8
TRIUMPH® ElmUlmus x 'Morton Glossy'50–60 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 4–9
Tuliptree (EMERALD CITY®)Liriodendron tulipifera50–80 ftmedium waterUSDA 4–9- Tuliptree (species)Liriodendron tulipifera50–80 ftmedium waterUSDA 4–9
Upright European Poplar (cottonwood)Populus tremula 'Erecta'30–40 ftmedium waterUSDA 3–8
Ussurian PearPyrus ussuriensis15–25 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 4–8
Washington HawthornCrataegus phaenopyrum25–30 ftmedium waterUSDA 4–8
White OakQuercus alba50–80 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 3–9
White poplarPopulus alba40–70 fthigh waterUSDA 3–8- Zelkova serrataZelkova serrata50–60 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 5–8
Frequently asked questions
- How big do these trees get?
- Mature heights range from about 6 to 80 ft across the 107 trees on this list. Each plant's page lists its exact mature size and spread.
- Which of these are Colorado native?
- 12 of the 107 trees are Colorado natives, including Bigtooth Maple (species), Boxelder 'Sensation' Maple, Gambel Oak, and Highland Poplar (cottonwood).
- How much water do these plants need?
- 52 of the 107 are rated low or low-to-medium water; the rest need moderate water. Each plant's page lists its water rating.
- How were these plants selected?
- Each of the 107 plants meets this page's criteria and is cross-referenced against the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List, CSU Extension, Denver Botanic Gardens, and USDA PLANTS. This is a reference guide, not a paid listing.
Related guides
- Low-water trees for the Colorado Front Range
- Colorado native trees for the Front Range
- Best shade trees for the Colorado Front Range
- Small trees for Front Range yards
- Front Range plants that are toxic to dogs
- Trees to avoid on the Colorado Front Range
- Deer-resistant plants for the Front Range
- Fast-growing shade trees for the Colorado Front Range
- Best pollinator trees for the Colorado Front Range
- Evergreen trees for the Colorado Front Range
- Salt-tolerant trees and shrubs for the Front Range
- Hail-tolerant trees and shrubs for the Front Range