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Aspens Changing A Week Or Two Early In High Country This Year

DENVER (CBS4) - It's going to be a good week if you have any downtime to head up to the high country to see the Colorado gold.

CBS4's Dave Aguilera reports that the aspens are changing one to two weeks early this year because of the drought conditions across the state.

PHOTO GALLERY: Colorado Fall Colors 2012

The trees in the mountains in Northern Colorado are changing particularly early, Aguilera reports.

Colorado
(credit: CBS)

Aguilera recommended the following fall colors drives:

- Peak to Peak Byway
- Guanella Pass Road
- Fall River Road to St. Mary's Glacier
- Rocky Mountain National Park

He also suggested that the Georgetown Loop Railroad is a fun spot for fall colors viewing, or "leaf peeping," because you don't even have to be in a car.

Additional Resources

Colorado Parks & Wildlife has a website devoted entirely to Colorado's fall colors, where you can find "information about where and when fall colors are blooming, where you can stay overnight, where you can take drive near the fall foliage for the very best views, and more."

AAA Colorado recommends the following "exceptional autumn drives" in Colorado:

- Aspen Ridge and Salida, accessible via US 285 in Chaffee County
- Cripple Creek, accessible via US 24 at State Highway 67 from Colorado Springs
- Independence Pass, accessible via State Highway 82 and US 24 near Twin Lakes and Aspen
- Crystal River Valley, accessible via State Highway 133 south of Carbondale
- McClure Pass and Kebler Pass, accessible via State Highway 133 south of Marble

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