7 fall-inspired Colorado things to do in October

By:
September 21, 2022
A family enjoys a walk through a pumpkin patch at Chatfield Farms. Photo by Scott Dressel-Martin, courtesy of Denver Botanic Gardens.
A family enjoys a walk through a pumpkin patch at Chatfield Farms. Photo by Scott Dressel-Martin, courtesy of Denver Botanic Gardens.

Fall has arrived and so has the fun!

October in Colorado is a great time to enjoy the beautiful fall colors and get outdoors, attend fall festivals and find your perfect pumpkin at one of the state’s many pumpkin patches. Need fall-inspired ideas on what to do this month? We’ve got you covered. Here are some of our favorites:

The annual Tour de Corgi in Fort Collins

Have a great time in Fort Collins at the annual Tour de Corgi event, a must-see show of pure delight. Photo by Mike Barry, courtesy of Tour De Corgi.
Have a great time in Fort Collins at the annual Tour de Corgi event. This event is a must-see show of pure delight when looking for Colorado things to do this October. Photo by Mike Barry, courtesy of Tour De Corgi.

Oct. 1: Attend the annual Tour de Corgi, the ultimate corgi meet-up and parade through Old Town Fort Collins. What’s cuter than a corgi you ask? A corgi in a costume! You won’t want to miss the corgi costume contest at the end of the parade. All proceeds from this event benefit local dog rescues. For more information on this event click here.

The Hot Chocolate 5k, 10k, or 15k

Girl drinking hot cocoa. Photo: Getty Images.
Photo: Getty Images.

Oct. 2: Run or walk the Hot Chocolate 5K, 10K, or 15K, or another October race in Colorado. There are tons of options to get you outside and moving, which will benefit your mental and physical health. What’s better than getting some physical activity and a cup of hot chocolate on a crisp fall morning? For information on the Hot Chocolate Race click here.

The Pumpkin Festival at Chatfield Farms

Looking for Colorado things to do this October? Experience a pumpkin patch like this one.
Looking for Colorado things to do this October? Experience a pumpkin patch. Photo: Getty Images.

Oct. 7-9: Celebrate fall at the Pumpkin Festival at Chatfield Farms. Pick your favorite pumpkin in the 10-acre pumpkin patch, explore the corn maze and enjoy food trucks, live music, artisan booths, hayrides and face painting. After you pick out your pumpkins there’s even a free pumpkin daycare available, so you can enjoy the rest of the festival without having to lug those big pumpkins around.

Click here for more pumpkin patches to enjoy in Colorado.

Victorian Horrors at the Molly Brown House Museum

Photo courtesy Historic Denver/Scott Dressel-Martin.

Oct. 14-29: Looking for something a little more frightening? Attend Victorian Horrors at the Molly Brown House Museum in Denver. Well-known Gothic horror stories from authors such as Edgar Allen Poe will be portrayed throughout the house by local actors in a 45–60-minute presentation as you walk through the house. For more information and to buy tickets click here.

Boo at the Zoo at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

A family at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo's Boo at the Zoo in Colorado Springs.
The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s Boo at the Zoo event is legendary for young and old alike. Photo courtesy: Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.

October 21-23,28-31: Check out Boo at the Zoo at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. A unique experience for your kids to dress up and trick-or-treat while visiting zoo animals at night. Activities include a haunted house, a spooky graveyard, a lighted pumpkin patch and a giraffe feeding experience. Buying tickets in advance is required. For more information and to buy tickets click here.

All aboard! Take a magnificent train ride.

train tracks among Colorado fall colors.
Take a train ride to see stunning autumn colors. Photo: Getty Images.

Oct. 1-31: Soak in the beauty of fall in Colorado with a train ride through the mountains. Hop aboard the Leadville Colorado & Southern Railroad on one of their special fall train rides happening all month long. Enjoy views of the Arkansas River Valley and yellowing aspens as you ride through some of the state’s most beautiful and epic landscapes. For more information and to buy tickets click here.

Check out these other historic train rides throughout Colorado, or visit these great spots to enjoy Colorado’s fall colors.

Make a delicious pumpkin pie

Pumpkin is loaded with vitamins and minerals. Why not make a scrumptious pumpkin pie. Photo: Getty Images.

Oct. 1-31: Perfect your pumpkin pie recipe. Fall is a great time to load up on your favorite healthy autumn ingredient, pumpkin, and practice that pie recipe before Thanksgiving. Pumpkin is highly nutritious, loaded with vitamins and minerals that boost immunity and antioxidants that may reduce your risk of chronic disease. Not sure where to start? Check out this healthy pumpkin pie recipe here.

To do in Colorado

About the author

Megan Jansson is a Social Media Communication Specialist at UCHealth with a passion for all things health. She worked as a certified personal trainer for many years, earned her bachelor’s degree in strategic advertising at the University of Colorado Boulder and earned her master’s degree in public health at Colorado State University. She has always had a big passion for writing and has written numerous articles and stories for Colorado State University and the Colorado School of Public Health.

Megan called Gothenburg, Sweden home for 12 years and has lived all over the United States. She is bilingual, loves to ski, hike, camp and ride horses, and is a big animal lover.