Best Time to See Owls in Colorado
May, April and June is the best time to see owls in Colorado. Based on 5,284 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when 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 June 28, 2026.
5,284 verified observations of owls in Colorado, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When owls are recorded in Colorado
Peak month
May
840 records (15.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 368 | 7% |
| February | 288 | 5.5% |
| March | 357 | 6.8% |
| Aprilpeak | 796 | 15.1% |
| Maypeak | 840 | 15.9% |
| Junepeak | 580 | 11% |
| July | 461 | 8.7% |
| August | 399 | 7.6% |
| September | 379 | 7.2% |
| October | 288 | 5.5% |
| November | 259 | 4.9% |
| December | 269 | 5.1% |
Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Great Horned Owl | 3,505 |
| Burrowing Owl | 730 |
| Eastern Screech-Owl | 217 |
| Long-eared Owl | 165 |
| Northern Pygmy-Owl | 143 |
| Northern Saw-whet Owl | 132 |
| American Barn Owl | 109 |
| Western Screech-Owl | 55 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Colorado
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when owls are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for 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.
More on owls in Colorado:
Sightings of owls in Colorado peak in May, when 840 of the year's 5,284 verified observations are logged — about 15.9% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, April and June.
The quietest stretch is November, December and February, when owls are hardest to find — November sees just 259 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The owls you are most likely to encounter in Colorado are Great Horned Owl, Burrowing Owl and Eastern Screech-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 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
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see owls in Colorado?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, April and June, based on 5,284 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are owls hardest to see in Colorado?+
November is the quietest month for owls in Colorado, with only 259 verified records.
Are owls active year-round in Colorado?+
Owls are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Colorado, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More places to see owls
More wildlife in Colorado