Bees in Colorado in May
Yes, May is a good month to see bees in Colorado. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 6,864 of the 52,296 sightings logged across the year (13.1%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Good month for bees in Colorado
13.1%
of yearly sightings
6,864
records in May
#4
busiest month of 12
52,296
verified records a year
April 4.5%, May 13.1%, June 22.5%. Busiest month is July at 26.3%.
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 |
In Colorado, May carries 13.1% of the year's bees sightings, about 4.8 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (4.5%) into May, and it heads toward June (22.5%) after. The busiest month is July (26.3%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The bees most often recorded in Colorado are Western Honey Bee, Hunt's Bumble Bee and Brown-belted Bumble Bee. Those counts are annual totals rather than a May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May itself.
Which bees you are most likely to see
- Western Honey Bee6,605 records
- Hunt's Bumble Bee4,312 records
- Brown-belted Bumble Bee1,937 records
- Nevada Bumble Bee1,739 records
- Golden Northern Bumble Bee1,544 records
- American Bumble Bee1,476 records
Plan your bee trip in Colorado
Start with live tours near Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main bee viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best bee viewing area in Colorado.
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Broader backupBook a bee tour in Colorado
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see bees in Colorado in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 6,864 of the 52,296 verified bees sightings logged in Colorado across the year, which is 13.1% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see bees in Colorado?+
May is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though July and June is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for bees in Colorado?+
July is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through July, June and August, based on 52,296 verified observations.
Which bees are you most likely to see in Colorado?+
The most-recorded species in Colorado are Western Honey Bee, Hunt's Bumble Bee and Brown-belted Bumble Bee, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See bees in Colorado in other months
More wildlife in Colorado