Best Time to See Great Horned Owls in Colorado
May, April and June is the best time to see great horned owls in Colorado. Based on 3,552 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when great horned owls 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 20, 2026.
Great Horned Owl · Spencer Hurt CC BY
Great Horned Owl · ayden CC BY
Great Horned Owl · William Harmon CC BY
3,552 verified observations of great horned owls in Colorado, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When great horned owls are recorded in Colorado
Peak month
May
610 records (17.2% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 229 | 6.4% |
| February | 178 | 5% |
| March | 251 | 7.1% |
| Aprilpeak | 578 | 16.3% |
| Maypeak | 610 | 17.2% |
| Junepeak | 328 | 9.2% |
| July | 255 | 7.2% |
| August | 260 | 7.3% |
| September | 259 | 7.3% |
| October | 225 | 6.3% |
| November | 192 | 5.4% |
| December | 187 | 5.3% |
Great Horned Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Great Horned Owl | 3,552 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Colorado
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when great horned owls are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for great horned owls sit around 20 to 69 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" |
| Aprbest time | 46°F | 20°F | 1.1" |
| Maybest time | 57°F | 31°F | 2.5" |
| Junbest time | 69°F | 42°F | 2.1" |
| Jul | 76°F | 49°F | 2.5" |
| Aug | 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.
Sightings of great horned owls in Colorado peak in May, when 610 of the year's 3,552 verified observations are logged — about 17.2% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, April and June.
The quietest stretch is February, December and November, when great horned owls are hardest to find — February sees just 178 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The great horned owls you are most likely to encounter in Colorado are Great Horned Owl — 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 great horned owls 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 great horned owls in Colorado?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, April and June, based on 3,552 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are great horned owls hardest to see in Colorado?+
February is the quietest month for great horned owls in Colorado, with only 178 verified records.
Are great horned owls active year-round in Colorado?+
Great horned owls are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Colorado, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More wildlife in Colorado