When to Plant Peppers in Colorado
In Colorado, the time to transplant peppers outside runs from Apr 28 – May 12 in Grand Junction to Jun 4 – Jun 18 in Durango. In Denver, it's May 18 – Jun 1. The average last spring frost differs by about 5 weeks across the state (Apr 14 in Grand Junction, May 21 in Durango), so use the dates for the town nearest you.
Peppers need even more warmth than tomatoes. Start them early indoors and set them out once the soil has warmed, two to four weeks after the last frost.
- Start indoors: 8–10 weeks before the last frost.
- Transplant outside: 2–4 weeks after the last frost.
Peppers planting dates in Colorado by city
| City | Zone | Start indoors | Transplant outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arvada | 6a | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | May 19 – Jun 2 |
| Aurora | 6a | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | May 21 – Jun 4 |
| Boulder | 6a | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | May 20 – Jun 3 |
| Brighton | 5b | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | May 17 – May 31 |
| Broomfield | 6a | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 |
| Castle Pines | 5b | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 23 – Jun 6 |
| Castle Rock | 5b | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 23 – Jun 6 |
| Cañon City | 6a | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | May 18 – Jun 1 |
| Centennial | 6a | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | May 19 – Jun 2 |
| Colorado Springs | 6a | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | May 17 – May 31 |
| Commerce City | 6a | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | May 17 – May 31 |
| Denver | 6a | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | May 18 – Jun 1 |
| Durango | 6b | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Jun 4 – Jun 18 |
| Englewood | 6a | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 |
| Erie | 5b | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | May 21 – Jun 4 |
| Evans | 5b | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 |
| Firestone | 5b | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | May 21 – Jun 4 |
| Fort Collins | 5b | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 |
| Fountain | 6a | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | May 17 – May 31 |
| Frederick | 5b | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | May 21 – Jun 4 |
| Golden | 5b | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | May 17 – May 31 |
| Grand Junction | 7a | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 28 – May 12 |
| Greeley | 5b | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 |
| Greenwood Village | 6a | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | May 21 – Jun 4 |
| Johnstown | 5b | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 24 – Jun 7 |
| Lafayette | 6a | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 |
| Lakewood | 6a | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | May 17 – May 31 |
| Littleton | 6a | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 |
| Lone Tree | 6a | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | May 19 – Jun 2 |
| Longmont | 5b | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | May 21 – Jun 4 |
| Louisville | 6a | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | May 20 – Jun 3 |
| Loveland | 5b | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 24 – Jun 7 |
| Montrose | 6b | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | May 12 – May 26 |
| Northglenn | 6a | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 |
| Parker | 5b | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 23 – Jun 6 |
| Pueblo | 6a | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 28 |
| Thornton | 6a | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 |
| Westminster | 6a | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 |
| Wheat Ridge | 6a | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | May 19 – Jun 2 |
| Windsor | 5b | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | May 17 – May 31 |
Calculated from each town's average (50%) frost dates, from the nearest NOAA station (1991–2020). Typical dates for the 2027 planting season, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 averages. They are long-term odds, not a forecast: always check your local forecast before planting. Zones: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (USDA-ARS and Oregon State University). Not the official map; see planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
See all frost dates in Colorado, or the general guide to when to plant peppers.
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