Best Time to See Bats in Colorado

July, August and June is the best time to see bats in Colorado. Based on 861 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when bats are most active across the year in Colorado.

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By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.

Little Brown Bat photographed in Colorado

Little Brown Bat · Public domain CC0

Pallid Bat photographed in Colorado

Pallid Bat · Aiva Noringseth CC BY

Little Brown Bat photographed in Colorado

Little Brown Bat · Aiva Noringseth CC BY

Photos by iNaturalist observers, reused under the licence each observer chose.
Best months: July, August, June

861 verified observations of bats in Colorado, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When bats are recorded in Colorado

Peak month

July

196 records (22.8% of the year)

Quietest month

December

3 records

MonthObservationsShare
January50.6%
February70.8%
March212.4%
April455.2%
May11613.5%
Junepeak13415.6%
Julypeak19622.8%
Augustpeak19322.4%
September11213%
October222.6%
November70.8%
December30.3%

Bats you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Big Brown Bat149
Little Brown Bat81
Silver-haired Bat45
Northern Hoary Bat31
Western Small-footed Myotis29
Townsend's Big-eared Bat26
Long-eared Myotis20
Mexican Free-tailed Bat12

Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo

Typical weather in Colorado

Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when bats are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for bats sit around 42 to 76 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.

MonthAvg highAvg lowRain
Jan27°F5°F0.5"
Feb27°F3°F0.9"
Mar34°F9°F1.3"
Apr46°F20°F1.1"
May57°F31°F2.5"
Junbest time69°F42°F2.1"
Julbest time76°F49°F2.5"
Augbest time75°F48°F1.7"
Sep69°F41°F1.1"
Oct54°F27°F0.8"
Nov40°F18°F0.6"
Dec30°F10°F0.9"

Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Colorado. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.

More on bats in Colorado:

Sightings of bats in Colorado peak in July, when 196 of the year's 861 verified observations are logged — about 22.8% of the annual total. Activity stays high through July, August and June.

The quietest stretch is December, when bats are hardest to find — December sees just 3 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.

The bats you are most likely to encounter in Colorado are Big Brown Bat, Little Brown Bat and Silver-haired Bat — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.

Where to go

Best places to see bats in Colorado

  • Bent's Old Fort National Historic SiteNational Historic Site
  • Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National ParkNational Park
  • Colorado National MonumentNational Monument
  • Curecanti National Recreation AreaNational Recreation Area
  • Dinosaur National MonumentNational Monument
  • Great Sand Dunes National Park & PreserveNational Park & Preserve

Gear to see them

Frequently asked questions

What is the best month to see bats in Colorado?+

July is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through July, August and June, based on 861 verified iNaturalist observations.

When are bats hardest to see in Colorado?+

December is the quietest month for bats in Colorado, with only 3 verified records.

Are bats active year-round in Colorado?+

Bats are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Colorado, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in July.