Best Time to See Deer in Colorado
July, June and August is the best time to see deer in Colorado. Based on 18,926 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when deer 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 July 2, 2026.
Rocky Mountain Mule Deer · Public domain CC0
Rocky Mountain Mule Deer · ayden CC BY
Rocky Mountain Mule Deer · ayden CC BY
18,926 verified observations of deer in Colorado, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When deer are recorded in Colorado
Peak month
July
2,658 records (14% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 796 | 4.2% |
| February | 708 | 3.7% |
| March | 1,057 | 5.6% |
| April | 1,745 | 9.2% |
| May | 1,817 | 9.6% |
| Junepeak | 2,503 | 13.2% |
| Julypeak | 2,658 | 14% |
| Augustpeak | 2,250 | 11.9% |
| September | 1,719 | 9.1% |
| October | 1,345 | 7.1% |
| November | 1,281 | 6.8% |
| December | 1,047 | 5.5% |
Deer you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 16,519 |
| White-tailed Deer | 2,104 |
| Mule × White-tailed Deer | 2 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Colorado
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when deer are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for deer 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 deer in Colorado:
Sightings of deer in Colorado peak in July, when 2,658 of the year's 18,926 verified observations are logged — about 14% of the annual total. Activity stays high through July, June and August.
The quietest stretch is February, January and December, when deer are hardest to find — February sees just 708 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The deer you are most likely to encounter in Colorado are Mule Deer, White-tailed Deer and Mule × White-tailed Deer — 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 deer 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
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see deer in Colorado?+
July is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through July, June and August, based on 18,926 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are deer hardest to see in Colorado?+
February is the quietest month for deer in Colorado, with only 708 verified records.
Are deer active year-round in Colorado?+
Deer 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 deer
More wildlife in Colorado