WhenToBird

Birding spots

Best Birding Spots in Colorado

By species reported, the top birding spots in Colorado are Cherry Creek Lake, Chico Basin, and Walden Ponds Wildlife Habitat. Cherry Creek Lake has the longest list (269 species), and its best season is spring.

Species counts are birds reported at least three times in that season at that spot, 2016–2025. Busy spots list more species simply because more people look, so compare the checklist counts. Spot names come from public map data and hotspot listings.

SpotCountySpeciesChecklistsWinterSpringSummerFall
Cherry Creek LakeArapahoe County2694,476115214161210
Chico BasinPueblo County24996352236132174
Walden Ponds Wildlife HabitatBoulder County2468,255102221150171
Bear Creek LakeJefferson County2432,85390200123192
J N Holland Reservoir Number 2Pueblo County2411,1364022698155
John Martin Reservoir State ParkBent County2411,0798121490141
Pastorius Reservoir State Wildlife AreaLa Plata County2373,01473211139167
Neeskah ReservoirKiowa County23756948195125170
Barr Lake (northwest)Adams County2362,69495172157206
Boyd Lake State ParkLarimer County2332,11586193128159
Prewitt Reservoir State Wildlife AreaWashington County23095755148162203
Fountain Creek Regional ParkEl Paso County2242,75199197107149
Barr LakeAdams County2232,80084161148186
Lake PuebloPueblo County2231,695123181105148
Chatfield Lake (Deer Creek)Jefferson County2231,24582157122158
Timnath ReservoirLarimer County2221,72360101145203
Chatfield Lake (Spring Gulch)Douglas County22275182147100163
Highline Lake State ParkMesa County2213,14099200105160
ProspectJefferson County2204,389101190110129
Chatfield State ParkJefferson County2201,90568137134177
Colorado State Land Board State Land BoardEl Paso County2201,36336177111159
Environmental Learning CenterLarimer County2193,9198318393151
Chatfield State Park (Plum Creek)Douglas County2181,65150160137175
Cherry Creek State ParkArapahoe County2174,46173171137180
Neenoshe ReservoirKiowa County21777770174117166
Arapaho Bend Natural AreaLarimer County2162,4436719099143
Clear Spring Ranch ParkEl Paso County2152,35573191118144
Waneka Lake ParkBoulder County2126,92685177112139
Big Johnson ReservoirEl Paso County2123,33876167157158
Calkins LakeWeld County2112,36396156105165

By county