In the forest near Mancos and the La Plata Mountains, about 35 percent of trees were starting to show color as of Thursday. From Dolores to Lizard Head Pass, 30 percent of aspens were starting to show their golden leaves, according to the National Forest website.
The forest’s fall color report, updated weekly, is available at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/sanjuan/fall. More updates are available via the San Juan National Forest Twitter account, @SanJuanNF.
Oakbrush changes colors first, followed by aspens and cottonwoods.
The area from Durango to Purgatory is at about 20 percent changed and Molas pass is at 25 percent. Near Pagosa Springs, 20 percent has changed, mostly in the higher elevations.
Near Silverton and Red Mountain Pass, 45 percent was starting to show, and on the San Juan Skyway near Ouray about 35 percent has changed.
A cold front moved into Southwest Colorado on Friday, and snow was coming down in the mountains. Chain laws were in affect Friday afternoon for Coal Bank, Molas and Red Mountain passes.
For more information, call the San Juan Public Lands Center at 247-4874 or the forest district office in Dolores at 970-882-7296.
