Monarch Butterflies in Colorado in October
Yes, October is a good month to see monarch butterflies in Colorado. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 328 of the 2,402 sightings logged across the year (13.7%), 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.
Good month for monarch butterflies in Colorado
13.7%
of yearly sightings
328
records in October
#4
busiest month of 12
2,402
verified records a year
September 24.6%, October 13.7%, November 1%. Busiest month is August at 29.6%.
2,402 verified observations of monarch butterflies in Colorado, recorded across 9 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When monarch butterflies are recorded in Colorado
Peak month
August
710 records (29.6% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 2 | 0.1% |
| March | 0 | 0% |
| April | 3 | 0.1% |
| May | 16 | 0.7% |
| June | 163 | 6.8% |
| Julypeak | 566 | 23.6% |
| Augustpeak | 710 | 29.6% |
| Septemberpeak | 590 | 24.6% |
| October | 328 | 13.7% |
| November | 24 | 1% |
| December | 0 | 0% |
Monarch Butterflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Monarch | 2,402 |
In Colorado, October carries 13.7% of the year's monarch butterflies sightings, about 5.4 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 9 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from September (24.6%) into October, and it heads toward November (1%) after. The busiest month is August (29.6%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The monarch butterflies most often recorded in Colorado are Monarch. Those counts are annual totals rather than a October split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in October itself.
Which monarch butterflies you are most likely to see
- Monarch2,402 records
Plan your monarch butterfly 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.
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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 monarch butterfly 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 monarch butterfly viewing area in Colorado.
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Broader backupBook a monarch butterfly 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 monarch butterflies in Colorado in October?+
Yes. October accounts for 328 of the 2,402 verified monarch butterflies sightings logged in Colorado across the year, which is 13.7% of the annual total.
Is October a good time to see monarch butterflies in Colorado?+
October is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though August and September is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for monarch butterflies in Colorado?+
August is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through August, September and July, based on 2,402 verified observations.
Which monarch butterflies are you most likely to see in Colorado?+
The most-recorded species in Colorado are Monarch, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See monarch butterflies in Colorado in other months
More wildlife in Colorado