When Colorado’s stunning landscapes are illuminated in shades of yellow, orange and red with the changing color of leaves, it’s hard to argue that there’s a better time of year in the state than fall. The smoldering summer heat gives way to crisp mornings and signals a shift in wardrobe. Meanwhile patio season and all the activities of summer are still accessible as winter lurks in the near future. Fall is also harvest season for the state’s wine industry and it is a great time of year to get out and support local wineries while exploring the unrivaled beauty of Colorado. 

When traveling in Western Colorado to see fall colors, traversing the 63-mile Grand Mesa Scenic Byway is highly recommended. The byway follows Highway 65 and connects Interstate 70 to Highway 92 in Cedaredge. As the largest flat-topped mountain on Earth, the Grand Mesa offers incredible scenery with vast meadows, an abundance of mountain lakes and aspen forests turned bright yellow.

Grand Mesa

Along the Grand Mesa Scenic Byway, there are plenty of worthy stops. The Land’s End Observatory is a popular destination that lives up to its name. It’s a former ranger observatory that sits on the edge of the Grand Mesa and offers sweeping views of the Book Cliffs, Colorado National Monument, the San Juan Mountains and more. From this vantage point, the foliage creates a mesmerizing sea of color. For those interested in hiking or biking, there are hundreds of miles of trails throughout the Grand Mesa that are easily accessible.

The scenic byway eventually leads to the town of Cedaredge and a drink may be in order. Chill Switch Wines was founded in 2012 by Dave Aschwanden who has been a champion of the Colorado wine industry. He’s been making wine for 22 years and is passionate about his craft, making natural wines from Colorado-grown grapes and no adulteration. Call ahead to schedule a tasting at Chill Switch Wines. Aschwanden also recommends Stoney Mesa Winery, Snow Capped Cider and Sips on Main as places in Cedaredge to visit. 

Located nearby is the West Elks American Viticultural Area (AVA) based around the towns of Hotchkiss and Paonia. Along with the Grand Valley AVA, the two AVAs produce the bulk of the state’s wine. The West Elks AVA has some of the highest vineyards in North America with elevations exceeding 7,000 feet and its idyllic location in the North Fork Valley is special.

There are a handful of wineries and cideries in the region that offer tours and tastings by appointment and the producers are always eager to showcase the quality of wine being made in the West Elks area. Wineries to contact for a tasting include Alfred Eames Cellars, Azura Wine Cellars, Black Bridge Winery, Qutori Wines, The Storm Cellar and others. 

Grand Valley

Roughly 70 miles west lies the Grand Valley, where there are numerous wineries and orchards to visit. For those interested in a day adventure, plan on stopping by the Dominguez Canyon Wilderness and exploring either Big Dominguez or Little Dominguez canyons. The wilderness area is located between the two regions off Highway 50 and while it may not be bursting with color from the fall foliage, it is a great time of year to visit as the temperatures won’t be too extreme.  

In the Grand Valley, Palisade is home to more than a dozen picturesque vineyards. Avant Vineyards uses estate-grown grapes to create small batches of tasty wine. With the Book Cliffs looming in the background, other locations offer great settings for tasting a variety of wines. Inspired by the towering mesas is Bookcliff Vineyards, a winery with locations in Palisade and Boulder that was recently named the state’s best winery by Tasting Table, a digital publisher. Along with Carboy Winery, Bookcliff is unique in having locations on both the Western Slope and the Front Range.

“Having a presence on both the Western Slope and the Front Range has been a huge advantage for Bookcliff,” says co-owner and CEO Jordan Dickard. “Together, the two locations let us tell the full Colorado wine story. Palisade shows where the wine comes from; Boulder shows how it fits into people’s everyday lives. That combination has helped us build relationships with guests across the state and keep Colorado at the center of the conversation.”

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