Best Time to See Bees in Colorado
July, June and August is the best time to see bees in Colorado. Based on 52,296 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when bees are most active across the year in Colorado.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Melecta pacifica fulvida · Jared Shorma CC BY
Two-spotted Longhorn Bee · Jared Shorma CC BY
Orange-tipped Woodborer · Jared Shorma CC BY
52,296 verified observations of bees in Colorado, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bees are recorded in Colorado
Peak month
July
13,743 records (26.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 31 | 0.1% |
| February | 59 | 0.1% |
| March | 344 | 0.7% |
| April | 2,335 | 4.5% |
| May | 6,864 | 13.1% |
| Junepeak | 11,783 | 22.5% |
| Julypeak | 13,743 | 26.3% |
| Augustpeak | 10,871 | 20.8% |
| September | 4,951 | 9.5% |
| October | 1,217 | 2.3% |
| November | 72 | 0.1% |
| December | 26 | 0% |
Bees you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Western Honey Bee | 6,605 |
| Hunt's Bumble Bee | 4,312 |
| Brown-belted Bumble Bee | 1,937 |
| Nevada Bumble Bee | 1,739 |
| Golden Northern Bumble Bee | 1,544 |
| American Bumble Bee | 1,476 |
| Colorado Black-notched Bumble Bee | 1,206 |
| Ligated Furrow Bee | 830 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Colorado
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when bees are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for bees sit around 42 to 76 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 27°F | 5°F | 0.5" |
| Feb | 27°F | 3°F | 0.9" |
| Mar | 34°F | 9°F | 1.3" |
| Apr | 46°F | 20°F | 1.1" |
| May | 57°F | 31°F | 2.5" |
| Junbest time | 69°F | 42°F | 2.1" |
| Julbest time | 76°F | 49°F | 2.5" |
| Augbest time | 75°F | 48°F | 1.7" |
| Sep | 69°F | 41°F | 1.1" |
| Oct | 54°F | 27°F | 0.8" |
| Nov | 40°F | 18°F | 0.6" |
| Dec | 30°F | 10°F | 0.9" |
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 bees in Colorado:
Sightings of bees in Colorado peak in July, when 13,743 of the year's 52,296 verified observations are logged — about 26.3% of the annual total. Activity stays high through July, June and August.
The quietest stretch is December and January, when bees are hardest to find — December sees just 26 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The bees you are most likely to encounter in Colorado are Western Honey Bee, Hunt's Bumble Bee and Brown-belted Bumble Bee — 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 bees in Colorado
- Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park — National Park
- Colorado National Monument — National Monument
- Curecanti National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
- Dinosaur National Monument — National Monument
- Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve — National Park & Preserve
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see bees in Colorado?+
July is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through July, June and August, based on 52,296 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are bees hardest to see in Colorado?+
December is the quietest month for bees in Colorado, with only 26 verified records.
Are bees active year-round in Colorado?+
Bees are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Colorado, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in July.
More places to see bees
More wildlife in Colorado