Soil Temperature in Colorado
The current average 2-inch soil temperature across Colorado is 75°F, based on 7 USDA and NOAA monitoring stations. Readings range from 61°F to 82°F. Last updated July 2, 2026.
Current Planting Conditions
Summer conditions across Colorado with soil averaging 75°F at 2 inches. Warm-season grasses are in peak growth; keep cool-season lawns mowed high and watered deep. The next application windows arrive in fall, starting with pre-emergent as soil falls back through 70°F.
Grass Seed Germination in Colorado
Grass seed germination
Grass seed germination temperatures across Colorado. Soil warmth varies by location, so check a city page for the live reading and what germinates there now.
| Grass species | Germination optimum | Days |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky bluegrass | 59–86°F | 14-30 |
| Tall fescue | 68–86°F | 7-12 |
| Perennial ryegrass | 68–86°F | 5-10 |
| Fine fescue | 59–77°F | 7-14 |
| Bermudagrass | 75–85°F | 10-30 |
Monitoring Stations in Colorado (7)
For root-zone timing (fertilizer, aeration, weed control), see the 4-inch soil temperature for Colorado. For accumulated-heat timing, see growing degree days for Colorado. See the Colorado soil temperature map for the full station view.
| Station | 2" Temp | Last Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Nunn #1 (Weld) | 78°F | 2026-07-02 |
| CPER (Weld) | 81°F | 2026-07-02 |
| Montrose 11 ENE | 73°F | 2026-07-02 |
| Cortez 8 SE | 74°F | 2026-07-02 |
| La Junta 17 WSW | 82°F | 2026-07-02 |
| Boulder 14 W | 61°F | 2026-07-02 |
| Dinosaur 2 E | 79°F | 2026-07-02 |
Cities in Colorado (46)
| City | ZIP | Current Temp |
|---|---|---|
| Alamosa | 81101 | 67°F* |
| Arvada | 80001 | 61°F |
| Aspen | 81611 | 73°F |
| Aurora | 80010 | 61°F |
| Boulder | 80301 | 61°F |
| Brighton | 80601 | 61°F |
| Broomfield | 80020 | 61°F |
| Canon City | 81212 | 76°F* |
| Castle Rock | 80104 | 61°F |
| Colorado Springs | 80901 | 78°F* |
| Commerce City | 80022 | 61°F |
| Craig | 81625 | 64°F* |
| Crested Butte | 81224 | 73°F |
| Crowley | 81033 | 82°F |
| Denver | 80201 | 61°F |
| Dinosaur | 81610 | 79°F |
| Durango | 81301 | 74°F |
| Englewood | 80110 | 61°F |
| Estes Park | 80511 | 61°F |
| Evergreen | 80437 | 61°F |
| Florence | 81226 | 78°F* |
| Fort Collins | 80521 | 81°F |
| Glenwood Springs | 81601 | 73°F |
| Golden | 80401 | 61°F |
| Grand Junction | 81501 | 73°F |
| Greeley | 80631 | 81°F |
| Gunnison | 81230 | 73°F |
| Lakewood | — | 61°F |
| Limon | 80826 | 74°F* |
| Littleton | 80120 | 61°F |
| Longmont | 80501 | 61°F |
| Louisville | 80027 | 61°F |
| Loveland | 80537 | 61°F |
| Montrose | 81401 | 73°F |
| Pagosa Springs | 81147 | 71°F* |
| Parker | 80134 | 61°F |
| Pueblo | 81001 | 82°F |
| Silverthorne | 80497 | 61°F |
| Steamboat Springs | 80477 | 61°F |
| Thornton | 80241 | 61°F |
| U S A F Academy | 80840 | 73°F* |
| Vail | 81657 | 61°F |
| Westminster | 80030 | 61°F |
| Wheat Ridge | 80033 | 61°F |
| Windsor | 80550 | 81°F |
| Woodland Park | 80863 | 67°F* |
Modeled estimate from Open-Meteo where no monitoring station is within 75 miles; all other readings are measured at USDA and NOAA stations.
Lawn Care Timing Guides for Colorado
- Summer Lawn Dormancy: Keep Cool-Season Grass Alive in Heat
Cool-season grass slows once 2-inch soil sustains 75°F and goes dormant near 85°F.
- When to Apply Grub Control: The 65-70°F Soil Window
Apply preventive grub control (chlorantraniliprole or imidacloprid) before eggs hatch, when 2-4 inch soil holds 65-70°F: late June through July in most regions.
- Lawn Fungus by Temperature: Brown Patch, Dollar Spot & More
Brown patch and Pythium strike when humid nights hold above 68°F on lush, over-fertilized turf; dollar spot, red thread, and rust hit slow-growing lawns at 60-85°F.
- When to Apply Broadleaf Weed Killer on Warm-Season Lawns in Spring
Spring broadleaf timing for St.
Soil Temperature FAQ for Colorado
What is the current soil temperature in Colorado?
The current average 2-inch soil temperature across Colorado is 75°F, based on 7 USDA and NOAA monitoring stations. Readings range from 61°F to 82°F depending on location and elevation.
When should I apply pre-emergent in Colorado?
Apply pre-emergent herbicide when soil at 2 inches reaches 55°F for several consecutive days. Timing varies across Colorado, so check your city's page for station-specific readings and the pre-emergent timing recommendation.
When can I plant grass seed in Colorado?
Cool-season grasses (fescue, bluegrass) can be seeded when soil holds between 50 and 65°F. Warm-season grasses (bermuda, zoysia) need soil above 65°F. Timing varies by location, so check your city's planting window for the dates specific to your area.