Pelicans in Colorado in July
Yes, July is a good month to see pelicans in Colorado. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 389 of the 3,429 sightings logged across the year (11.3%), 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 pelicans in Colorado
11.3%
of yearly sightings
389
records in July
#4
busiest month of 12
3,429
verified records a year
June 14.7%, July 11.3%, August 7.5%. Busiest month is April at 25.8%.
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 |
In Colorado, July carries 11.3% of the year's pelicans sightings, about 3 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from June (14.7%) into July, and it heads toward August (7.5%) after. The busiest month is April (25.8%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The pelicans most often recorded in Colorado are American White Pelican and Brown Pelican. 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 pelicans you are most likely to see
- American White Pelican3,419 records
- Brown Pelican10 records
Plan your pelican 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 pelican 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 pelican viewing area in Colorado.
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Broader backupBook a pelican 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 pelicans in Colorado in July?+
Yes. July accounts for 389 of the 3,429 verified pelicans sightings logged in Colorado across the year, which is 11.3% of the annual total.
Is July a good time to see pelicans in Colorado?+
July is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though April and May is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for pelicans in Colorado?+
April is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through April, May and June, based on 3,429 verified observations.
Which pelicans are you most likely to see in Colorado?+
The most-recorded species in Colorado are American White Pelican and Brown Pelican, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See pelicans in Colorado in other months
More places to see pelicans
More wildlife in Colorado