FrostCal

When to Plant Peppers in Colorado

In a typical Colorado location, start seeds indoors Feb 22 – Mar 8, then transplant outdoors May 10 – May 24. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 21 in Grand Junction and as late as Jun 28 in Edwards.

Method Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 60–90 days

Slow to germinate; start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant only once nights stay above 55F, 1-3 weeks after last frost.

Peppers Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplant
DenverFeb 19 – Mar 5May 7 – May 21
Colorado SpringsFeb 22 – Mar 8May 10 – May 24
AuroraFeb 23 – Mar 9May 11 – May 25
Fort CollinsFeb 21 – Mar 7May 9 – May 23
LakewoodFeb 22 – Mar 8May 10 – May 24
ThorntonFeb 21 – Mar 7May 9 – May 23
WestminsterFeb 21 – Mar 7May 9 – May 23
ArvadaFeb 24 – Mar 10May 12 – May 26
CentennialFeb 24 – Mar 10May 12 – May 26
PuebloFeb 19 – Mar 5May 7 – May 21
GreeleyFeb 21 – Mar 7May 9 – May 23
BoulderFeb 25 – Mar 11May 13 – May 27
Highlands RanchFeb 24 – Mar 10May 12 – May 26
LongmontFeb 26 – Mar 12May 14 – May 28
LovelandMar 1 – Mar 15May 17 – May 31
BroomfieldFeb 21 – Mar 7May 9 – May 23
Grand JunctionFeb 3 – Feb 17Apr 21 – May 5
Castle RockFeb 28 – Mar 14May 16 – May 30
Commerce CityFeb 23 – Mar 9May 11 – May 25
ParkerFeb 28 – Mar 14May 16 – May 30
LittletonFeb 21 – Mar 7May 9 – May 23
NorthglennFeb 21 – Mar 7May 9 – May 23
BrightonFeb 22 – Mar 8May 10 – May 24
Dakota RidgeFeb 21 – Mar 7May 9 – May 23
EnglewoodFeb 21 – Mar 7May 9 – May 23
Security-WidefieldFeb 22 – Mar 8May 10 – May 24
WindsorFeb 22 – Mar 8May 10 – May 24
Ken CarylFeb 21 – Mar 7May 9 – May 23
Wheat RidgeFeb 24 – Mar 10May 12 – May 26
Pueblo WestFeb 15 – Mar 1May 3 – May 17

Showing the 30 most populous of 65 Colorado cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Colorado cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant peppers in Colorado?

In a typical Colorado location, start seeds indoors Feb 22 – Mar 8, then transplant outdoors May 10 – May 24. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 21 in Grand Junction and as late as Jun 28 in Edwards.

When is the last frost in Colorado?

The average last spring frost in Colorado ranges from April 14 in Grand Junction to June 21 in Edwards, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do peppers take to grow?

Peppers typically take 60–90 days from planting to harvest. Slow to germinate; start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant only once nights stay above 55F, 1-3 weeks after last frost.

Other Crops in Colorado

When to plant peppers in other states

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