Best Time to See Turkey Vultures in Colorado
April, May and June is the best time to see turkey vultures in Colorado. Based on 1,920 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when turkey vultures 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.
Turkey Vulture · Anders Hastings CC BY
Turkey Vulture · Jared Shorma CC BY
Turkey Vulture · Sue Keefer CC BY
1,920 verified observations of turkey vultures in Colorado, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When turkey vultures are recorded in Colorado
Peak month
April
425 records (22.1% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 3 | 0.2% |
| February | 1 | 0.1% |
| March | 40 | 2.1% |
| Aprilpeak | 425 | 22.1% |
| Maypeak | 392 | 20.4% |
| Junepeak | 301 | 15.7% |
| July | 289 | 15.1% |
| August | 208 | 10.8% |
| September | 231 | 12% |
| October | 28 | 1.5% |
| November | 1 | 0.1% |
| December | 1 | 0.1% |
Turkey Vultures you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Turkey Vulture | 1,920 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Colorado
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when turkey vultures are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for turkey vultures 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 turkey vultures in Colorado peak in April, when 425 of the year's 1,920 verified observations are logged — about 22.1% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and June.
The quietest stretch is February, November and December, when turkey vultures are hardest to find — February sees just 1 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The turkey vultures you are most likely to encounter in Colorado are Turkey Vulture — 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 turkey vultures 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 turkey vultures in Colorado?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and June, based on 1,920 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are turkey vultures hardest to see in Colorado?+
February is the quietest month for turkey vultures in Colorado, with only 1 verified records.
Are turkey vultures active year-round in Colorado?+
Turkey vultures are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Colorado, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More wildlife in Colorado