October averages
- Average high
- 66.7°F
- Average low
- 35.7°F
- Snow
- 3.9 in
- Precipitation
- 0.98 in
Monthly averages: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020, Denver-Stapleton station. Averages, not forecasts.
- The average date of Denver’s first freeze is October 7, and of the first measurable snowfall October 19, according to the National Weather Service.
- Denver Water’s summer watering rules end on October 1.
- In 2026, Rocky Mountain National Park’s timed entry reservations ended on October 12, and Bear Lake Road reservations on October 18.
October in Denver can feel like three seasons in a month. The first week may be warm enough for shorts, then a cold front brings the first freeze, and by the third week snow may dust the lawns before melting in bright sunshine. It is the month to put summer away.
October numbers
| Measure | October normal or average |
|---|---|
| Average high | about 67°F |
| Average low | about 36°F |
| Nights at or below freezing | about 9 |
| Snowfall | about 3.9 inches |
| Average first freeze | October 7 |
| Average first measurable snow | October 19 |
The normals come from federal climate data for the Denver Stapleton station, and the average dates from the National Weather Service’s Denver records.
First snow: early or late
The first snow varies widely from year to year. In the ten years through 2025, the Weather Service recorded first snowfalls as early as September 8, 2020, and as late as December 10, 2021. In 2025 it came on November 29. The largest first snowfall of a season on record was 22.7 inches over October 20-23, 1906; another big early storm brought 16.2 inches over October 28-31, 1929.
First freeze in recent years
Freeze dates vary too. In the ten years through 2025, the Weather Service lists Denver’s first freeze as early as September 8, 2020, and as late as October 25, 2024; in 2025 it came on October 18. The latest first freeze on record held off until November 15, 1944. In practice, expect the first frosty morning sometime in early to mid-October.
What ends in October
- Denver Water’s summer watering rules run through October 1. After that, the daytime watering ban no longer applies, but lawns need little water in cool weather.
- Rocky Mountain National Park’s 2026 timed entry period ran to October 12, and Bear Lake Road reservations to October 18. After that, an entrance pass is all you need.
- The state’s ozone forecast season has already ended on August 31.
Winterize the yard and house
The first hard freeze can damage outdoor plumbing, so October is the time to:
- Shut off and drain sprinkler systems before a deep freeze.
- Disconnect garden hoses from outdoor faucets.
- Bring in potted plants and store patio cushions.
- Clean gutters after the leaves fall.
- Check weatherstripping on doors and windows.
Tip: Do not wait for the first hard freeze to blow out the sprinklers. Book the service, or do it yourself, in early October; the average first freeze comes around October 7.
Car and travel
Colorado’s traction law has been enforceable on I-70 between Morrison and Dotsero since September 1. Early-season storms in the mountains can be sudden. Before a fall trip, check tread depth (at least 3/16 inch under the traction law), keep an ice scraper in the car and sign up for CDOT’s travel alerts.
If you arrived during the summer, check your 90-day vehicle registration deadline. Late registration costs $25 a month, up to $100, and you can add the $29 Keep Colorado Wild Pass when you register to cover entry to all state parks.
If you need chains or tire socks for mountain trips, CDOT publishes a list of approved alternative traction devices, including several cable chains and textile tire socks. Buy them before the first big storm, when stores run low, and practice fitting them at home.
Plan for January now
The National Western Stock Show, held every January for 16 days, puts tickets on sale in the fall: a presale began September 24 and general sales on October 1 for the 2027 show. If you want a particular rodeo or event, October is the time to buy.
Fall outings
- Visit Rocky Mountain National Park as the crowds thin; elk are still active in early October.
- Walk city parks while the trees are at their peak color.
- Check out Red Rocks’ fall programs: in 2026 its operators ran a pre-season ski fitness series called SnowShape on the amphitheater’s steps, celebrated International Archaeology Day and brought back a mounted patrol, a nod to the horses that were part of the site’s history from the first concert there in 1906.
- Use the library: the Denver Public Library’s card is free for Colorado residents and includes state parks and museum passes.
If you signed up for a library eCard online, finish the job in person: the Denver Public Library says eCards expire after six months unless you show a government or school photo ID at a branch, which also upgrades you to a permanent card with full borrowing privileges.
Next
November brings one of the year’s snowier months and some of the largest early-season storms. See Denver in November: Early Winter Storms and Getting Ready for the Holidays.