Every October, Westcliffe steps into its fiery season, transforming the high mountain valley and surrounding Florissant Fossil Beds into a vibrant arena of fall colors. The Annual Fall Colors Festival is your gateway to experience this vivid display firsthand, combining accessible trails with crisp mountain air and a welcoming small-town festival spirit.

The heart of the festival pulses across forested paths and open meadows where aspen trees stand like flaming sentinels, their leaves daring the wind to stir a chorus of rustling hues. The terrain here offers variety: from gentle strolls through the town’s historic core to moderate hikes on the trails around the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. A popular route stretches 4 miles roundtrip with an elevation gain of about 600 feet, enough to get your blood moving without overexerting.

The festival’s practical highlights include an array of guided hikes, local artisan booths, live music, and farm-fresh eats that celebrate the season’s bounty. For hikers, morning starts are ideal — the light catches the gold and crimson leaves best and keeps the trail pleasantly cool. Lycra-lined trail shoes or boots with solid traction are recommended; some uneven dirt and rocky patches test your footing, especially if recent rains have left the forest floor slick.

Hydration can’t be understated here. The high altitude—the town sits just over 7,800 feet—calls for plenty of water and sun protection. The sun presses hard, especially midday, pushing explorers to keep pace with the shadows and stay alert to sudden weather shifts. Be prepared for temperatures that can swing from warm afternoons into chilly evenings.

A special feature during the festival is the proximity to Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, where ancient redwoods tell stories far older than the changing leaves. This spot offers a quieter, almost reverent counterpoint to the festival’s more dynamic activities—a place where nature showcases both its fleeting and enduring faces.

Local guides emphasize respect for this land fiercely itself: the forest floor is fragile, and the animals—mule deer, elk, and the occasional red fox—view visitors with cautious interest. Tread lightly, keep an eye on the landscape’s subtle changes, and you’ll find a rhythm that turns your visit into a meaningful engagement with the wild.

Whether you’re driven by the thrill of adventure or purely drawn by autumn’s call to witness some of Colorado’s best fall colors, Westcliffe and Florissant offer a grounding yet inspiring experience. Plan your visit with layered clothing, sturdy footwear, and a mindset open to both discovery and careful observation of a landscape shaped season by season.