Not too late for fall colors

It’s my favorite time of year. The chill in the air and the promise of pumpkin pie are something I dream about on hot summer days. Living in Colorado Springs’ West Side for the last 8 years, it’s become a ritual to stare at the sun hitting the mountains while drinking the morning’s coffee.  Then one morning, it happens. I see the first of the aspen trees changing up near the Tenny Crags, or on Mt. Rosa. Soon, they start changing at the lower elevations. Every year the timing is a little different, but if you haven’t been up in the hills yet this season, you haven’t totally missed the show. Take a drive up 24 through Woodland Park, then South on 67 in Divide. The winding road to Cripple Creek isn’t too far, and there are plenty of opportunities to pull over and just stare down a valley of fluorescent aspens and bright red scrub oak. The show is still playing, but not for long. Life’s too short to not live in Colorado, and the fall colors here are a big reason why.