Dragonflies in Colorado in July
Yes, July is one of the best months to see dragonflies in Colorado. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 8,619 of the 25,566 sightings logged across the year (33.7%), 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.
Peak month for dragonflies in Colorado
33.7%
of yearly sightings
8,619
records in July
#1
busiest month of 12
25,566
verified records a year
June 20.2%, July 33.7%, August 24.6%. Busiest month is July at 33.7%.
25,566 verified observations of dragonflies in Colorado, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When dragonflies are recorded in Colorado
Peak month
July
8,619 records (33.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 5 | 0% |
| February | 2 | 0% |
| March | 19 | 0.1% |
| April | 174 | 0.7% |
| May | 895 | 3.5% |
| Junepeak | 5,157 | 20.2% |
| Julypeak | 8,619 | 33.7% |
| Augustpeak | 6,285 | 24.6% |
| September | 3,347 | 13.1% |
| October | 990 | 3.9% |
| November | 68 | 0.3% |
| December | 5 | 0% |
Dragonflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Band-winged Meadowhawk | 1,628 |
| Widow Skimmer | 1,458 |
| Variegated Meadowhawk | 1,417 |
| Great Spreadwing | 963 |
| Plains Forktail | 955 |
| Familiar Bluet | 892 |
| Twelve-spotted Skimmer | 858 |
| Common Whitetail | 821 |
In Colorado, July carries 33.7% of the year's dragonflies sightings, about 25.4 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from June (20.2%) into July, and it heads toward August (24.6%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so July is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The dragonflies most often recorded in Colorado are Band-winged Meadowhawk, Widow Skimmer and Variegated Meadowhawk. Those counts are annual totals rather than a July split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in July itself.
Which dragonflies you are most likely to see
- Band-winged Meadowhawk1,628 records
- Widow Skimmer1,458 records
- Variegated Meadowhawk1,417 records
- Great Spreadwing963 records
- Plains Forktail955 records
- Familiar Bluet892 records
Plan your dragonfly 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 dragonfly 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 dragonfly viewing area in Colorado.
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Broader backupBook a dragonfly 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 dragonflies in Colorado in July?+
Yes. July accounts for 8,619 of the 25,566 verified dragonflies sightings logged in Colorado across the year, which is 33.7% of the annual total.
Is July a good time to see dragonflies in Colorado?+
July is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of July, August and June.
What month is best for dragonflies in Colorado?+
July is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through July, August and June, based on 25,566 verified observations.
Which dragonflies are you most likely to see in Colorado?+
The most-recorded species in Colorado are Band-winged Meadowhawk, Widow Skimmer and Variegated Meadowhawk, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See dragonflies in Colorado in other months
More places to see dragonflies
More wildlife in Colorado