Don’t you love that the Forest Service has a fall foliage tracker for the San Juan National Forest? We sure do.

Fall color-watching in Southwest Colorado is currently better in the region’s high country as the aspens, willows and low scrub oak at higher elevations start to don their autumn wardrobe. About 15 percent of trees have started to change in Molas Pass, and 25 percent of aspens have turned their signature golden hue along Red Mountain Pass near Silverton.

According to the Forest Service, fall colors haven’t really kicked in near Durango, Dolores, Rico and Mancos, while the trees are just starting to change color in Pagosa Springs.

So, as of Sunday, it looks like it’s still a bit early for fall colors in the San Juan mountains, but keep checking back because it’s about to get good. Real good.

The Forest Service’s fall foliage tracker even says “next weekend (Sept. 28-29) should be better” for fall colors, so start planning your fall-color-watching trip now and book your room at the Durango Quality Inn today!