The leaves have started changing in the high country; in fact, some of the trees are turning here in Colorado Springs.
It's very hard to predict "peak" leaf viewing time much in advance, as leaf changing is very sensitive to summer and fall conditions, and sudden cold and wind snaps can hurry up the turning. Peak times tend to be short, and vary by area, latitude and elevations. Even on the same hill, you may see dark green, light green, and gold leaves, which provide a nice contrast. The end of September is usually a good time to take in some spectacular fall color near Colorado Springs.
For a wonderful Pikes Peak area leaf peeping drive, try taking a spin to Cripple Creek. Take Highway 24 from downtown Colorado Springs, through Cascade and Woodland Park. When you get to Divide, go south on Highway 67. There are several places to pull off and snap photos. (If you don't have time for the full trip, you'll get to see some beautiful groves of Aspens between Woodland Park and Divide).
If you go to Cripple Creek the weekends of September 20th and 21st or 27th and 28th, you may want to take the Aspen Tours sponsored by the 2 Mile High Club. The excursions are free, but donations are encouraged to provide food for the donkeys the club cares for. Tours leave from the Cripple Creek Heritage Center (right on Highway 67) and start at 9 am, with the last tour leaving at 4 pm. Tours are given on a first come, first serve basis.
For other scenic routes around the state, check out the Fall Foliage Guide from Colorado.com.
To give you an idea of how the leaves turned last year: these pictures were taken on September 24th, on the road between Divide to Cripple Creek.
Ken and Sandy Wickham are long-time Realtors in beautiful Colorado Springs, CO. To contact them, call 719-534-7919 or 800-599-8500 ext. 1120.
With the summer Paralympics in full swing, and the 2008 summer Olympics just a few short weeks behind us, we'd like to highlight the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. While much of the nation devoted two weeks on their couches to watch the games, most of the athletes have year round, years-long training schedules. 
Olympic Strength sculpture; see detail below
The 2008 Colorado Springs Parade of Homes was well attended: over 16,000 tickets were sold, and it's estimated that almost 15,000 people visited the Sony Signature Home in Flying Horse. The participating builders pulled out all the stops to showcase their companies, and garnered a lot of positive interest in their homes. The People's Choice Awards and the Industry Awards of Excellence were announced at the Housing and Building Association's Parade of Homes Awards Banquet last night. 
According to Pikes Peak Multiple Listing Service figures, 778 single family homes sold in August. That's 108 fewer than in July, the busiest month this year, and also fewer than in May and June. Through August 31st, 5,962 single family homes have sold through our MLS.
There's another elite international athletic competition taking place in Beijing right now. Although it doesn't receive as much media attention, the athletes are all highly trained, just as motivated, the best in their sports, and have fierce competitive streaks. 
