Best Time to See Pelicans in Colorado
April, May and June is the best time to see pelicans in Colorado. Based on 3,429 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when pelicans 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.
American White Pelican · Callisto CC BY
American White Pelican · Ryan Goodman CC BY
American White Pelican · Public domain CC0
3,429 verified observations of pelicans in Colorado, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When pelicans are recorded in Colorado
Peak month
April
886 records (25.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 8 | 0.2% |
| February | 12 | 0.3% |
| March | 116 | 3.4% |
| Aprilpeak | 886 | 25.8% |
| Maypeak | 814 | 23.7% |
| Junepeak | 503 | 14.7% |
| July | 389 | 11.3% |
| August | 258 | 7.5% |
| September | 180 | 5.2% |
| October | 147 | 4.3% |
| November | 81 | 2.4% |
| December | 35 | 1% |
Pelicans you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| American White Pelican | 3,419 |
| Brown Pelican | 10 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Colorado
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when pelicans are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for pelicans 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 pelicans in Colorado:
Sightings of pelicans in Colorado peak in April, when 886 of the year's 3,429 verified observations are logged — about 25.8% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and June.
The quietest stretch is January and February, when pelicans are hardest to find — January sees just 8 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The pelicans you are most likely to encounter in Colorado are American White Pelican and Brown Pelican — 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 pelicans 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 pelicans in Colorado?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and June, based on 3,429 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are pelicans hardest to see in Colorado?+
January is the quietest month for pelicans in Colorado, with only 8 verified records.
Are pelicans active year-round in Colorado?+
Pelicans are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Colorado, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More places to see pelicans
More wildlife in Colorado