When Colorado will see fall colors this year

State of play: The statewide drought means leaves will turn and fall weeks earlier than normal, ending by mid-October, experts say.

• The mountains will peak around Sept. 29, and much of the Front Range will peak around Oct. 6, SmokyMountains.com, one of the top prognosticators, forecasts.

What they're saying: "When water is in short supply, trees shut down and prepare for the winter season on an accelerated timeline," Barbara Demmig-Adams, a University of Colorado professor and an expert on leaf pigments, told the Denver Post.

Between the lines: The leaves will also appear muted or brown because of the low snowpack and lack of precipitation.