Savor The Flavors Of Fall In Colorado

I don’t know about you, but it has been so hot that all I can think about is the cooler temperatures of autumn. And what better place can there be to savor the flavors of fall than in Colorado?

As autumn approaches, Colorado’s farm stands and orchards are every bit as colorful as the fall leaves. Visitors can enjoy Colorado’s food-themed festivals, U-pick ’em stands and endless opportunities to sample local craft libations. So without further ado, here’s a run down of what you can savor this fall in Colorado.

CHILES:

You know it’s fall in Colorado when the aroma of roasting chiles fills the air. Starting in late summer, farm stands teem with bushels of chiles—like Di Santi Farms in Pueblo or Colon Orchards in Cañon City. And then there is the Pueblo Chile and Frijoles Festival, Sept. 20–22, is where thousands will gather at this annual downtown street party to pay homage to Pueblo’s banner crops with cook-offs, food and more.

APPLES:

Coloradans are positively nuts for apples. In fall, Big B’s Delicious Orchards in Hotchkiss is the place to stock up on apples, ciders and raw vinegars. Ya Ya Farm & Orchard in Longmont offers a great pick-your-own apple experience. Plus don’t miss the Cedaredge Applefest, Oct. 3–6. More than 20,000 apple-happy fruit lovers pack into Cedaredge to sink their teeth into delicious locally grown apples. A couple of weeks after that there’s the Colorado Hard Cider Festival, Oct. 26 where you can sip creations from a dozen cideries at Big B’s Delicious Orchards.

MELONS:

In Colorado’s Arkansas Valley, late summer is marked by the harvest of Rocky Ford melons. Monroe Family Farm sells melons at many area farmers’ markets, and Johnson Farm and Apiary offers melons and a corn maze. It’s too late for this year but next year check out Rocky Ford Watermelon Day in the middle of August. Watermelon Day includes seed-spitting, watermelon-carving contests and other old-fashioned fun.

CORN:

Most Coloradans contend you haven’t really had corn until you’ve had Olathe sweet corn. By September, Western Slope corn farmers are up to their ears in this sweet variety.

HONEY:

By early fall, the liquid gold of Colorado’s hardworking bees can be harvested one last time. Björn’s Colorado Honey in Boulder produces small-batch, crystallized honey. Near Durango, Honeyville whips up concoctions like Bourbon-Vanilla honey.

POTATOES:

Colorado’s San Luis Valley is the second-largest potato growing region in the U.S and more than 150 potato growing families have called it home for generations. At Nelms Farm in Golden, visitors can even dig up their own potatoes. The Carbondale Potato Day Parade and Celebration, Oct. 5, is a 110-year-old festival that includes a cookout, games, parade and entertainment.

COLORADO’S LIQUID ARTS:

Colorado’s craft brewing heritage and reputation make it the envy of beer-lovers everywhere. But, Colorado has also made its mark in the handcrafted spirits industry and wine, as well. The Crested Butte Chili and Beer Festival was on Sept. 7, and featured over a dozen breweries and locally sourced chili plus live music. Be sure to check for 2020’s date! Colorado Mountain Winefest, Sept. 19-22, is where you can sample the wares of 56 wineries, meet grape and peach growers and talk with artists and chefs. Lake City’s Uncorked Wine and Music Festival, Sept. 21, is an event that features artisan and food vendors, live music and a variety of wines for tasting. Breckenridge Craft Spirits Festival, Oct. 19–21, is your opportunity to sip the best offerings from small-batch, artisan distillers and learn more about the distilling process.

So as you can see there are a lot of great opportunities to savor the flavors of fall in Colorado! And The Traveling Locavores can’t wait to hook up the RV there for a few prime weeks.