What hummingbirds are common in Colorado?

Common hummingbirds in Colorado include Broad-tailed, Black-chinned, Rufous, and Calliope Hummingbirds. Broad-tailed and Black-chinned are regular summer breeders, while Rufous and Calliope pass through on migration.

What is the best hummingbird nectar recipe for Colorado?

Use a simple mixture of 1 part white granulated sugar to 4 parts water. Boil the water, dissolve the sugar, let it cool, then fill your feeders. Do not add red dye, honey, or artificial sweeteners.

How often should I change hummingbird nectar in Colorado?

In cooler spring or high-elevation conditions, change nectar and clean feeders every 3–4 days. During warm summer weather, change nectar every 1–2 days to prevent fermentation and mold.

What native plants attract hummingbirds in Colorado?

Good native plants for Colorado hummingbirds include columbines, currants, penstemons, scarlet gilia, native sages, and other species recommended in the Colorado–Wyoming–South Dakota hummingbird habitat guide. Plant early-, mid-, and late-season bloomers to cover the whole hummingbird season.

Colorado Hummingbirds: Feeders, Nectar & Native Plants

Q: When should I put out hummingbird feeders in Colorado?

In most of Colorado, have hummingbird feeders ready by late April to welcome early Broad-tailed and Black-chinned Hummingbirds. Keep them up through summer and into September to support migrants.

Q: When should I take down hummingbird feeders in Colorado?

Most Colorado residents can leave feeders up through September. If a few late migrants are still visiting, you can keep at least one feeder available into early October, especially at lower elevations.

Colorado: Attracting and Feeding Hummingbirds – A Complete Guide

Colorado is prime hummingbird country.
From Front Range neighborhoods to high mountain meadows, these tiny birds flash through the Rockies every spring and summer, bringing color and energy to yards and wildflower slopes.

This guide will help you attract and feed hummingbirds in Colorado with the right timing, nectar, native plants, and habitat.

Key takeaways

Broad‑tailed and Black‑chinned Hummingbirds are common summer breeders in Colorado, with Rufous and Calliope passing through on migration.
Put feeders out by late April and keep them up into September, watching for late migrants into early October.
A simple 4‑to‑1 sugar‑water nectar, kept fresh and dye‑free, is all they need.
Native, nectar‑rich plants that bloom from spring through early fall are essential in this high‑elevation, short‑season state.

What hummingbirds live in Colorado?

Colorado sits on a major western “floral highway” for hummingbirds, especially along the Rockies.

The hummingbirds you’re most likely to see include:

Broad‑tailed Hummingbird – One of Colorado’s signature species. A common summer breeder in mountain and foothill habitats; males have a rosy‑red throat and loud metallic wing trill as they fly.

Black‑chinned Hummingbird – Breeds in lower‑elevation canyons, riparian areas, and towns on Colorado’s Western Slope and some eastern plains; males have a dark throat with a thin violet band.

Black-chinned-Hummingbird — Black-chinned Hummingbird

Rufous Hummingbird – A fiery orange migrant that passes through Colorado mainly during late summer and early fall as it travels between the Pacific Northwest/Alaska and Mexico.

Rufous hummingbird — Photo by Diana Roberts

Calliope Hummingbird – The smallest breeding bird in North America, moving through parts of Colorado during migration; males have a distinctive magenta‑streaked throat.

Other species may appear rarely, but most backyard birders can focus on broad‑tailed, black‑chinned, Rufous, and Calliope.

When do hummingbirds visit Colorado?

Colorado’s hummingbird season is shaped by altitude and short mountain summers.

Regional patterns:

Spring arrival
- Broad‑tailed Hummingbirds reach Colorado from late April to late May, moving north and upslope as snow retreats.
Black‑chinned Hummingbirds arrive in lower‑elevation areas in spring, often around late April or May.

Summer nesting

Broad‑taileds nest in montane conifer and mixed forests, often near meadows and riparian areas.
Black‑chinned Hummingbirds nest in shrublands, canyons, and riparian zones at lower elevations.

Late‑summer and fall migration

Rufous and Calliope Hummingbirds may begin showing up as early as July, with strong movement in August and early September as they follow high‑elevation flowers south.

Many hummingbirds have moved on by mid‑September, but a few may linger into early October depending on weather and elevation.

Feeder timing that works well for most Colorado yards:

Aim to have feeders up by mid to late April, especially on the Front Range and Western Slope.
Keep feeders available through September, watching for migrants into early October if flowers and weather hold.
One of the best Hummingbird feeders that’s easy to take apart and clean is the HummZinger Ultra.

Hummzinger saucer Feeder

The HummZinger Ultra 12oz Saucer Feeder is one of the best options for a hummingbird feeder that’s both easy to clean and maintain. This feeder features patented Nectar Guard tips—flexible membranes on the feeding ports that keep flying insects out while still allowing hummingbirds to feed freely. Plus, it comes with an integrated ant moat to prevent crawling insects from reaching the nectar, and the raised flower ports help divert rain, keeping the nectar fresh.

Best nectar recipe for Colorado hummingbirds

Even in the Rockies, hummingbirds need the same basic nectar recipe used elsewhere.

Use this simple mix:

1 part white granulated sugar
4 parts clean water

Instructions:

Bring the water to a brief boil.
Stir in sugar until fully dissolved.
Let it cool completely, then fill your feeders.
Store extra nectar in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Important do’s and don’ts:

Do use only plain white table sugar.
Do not use honey, brown sugar, raw sugar, or artificial sweeteners.
Do not add red dye; feeder color is enough to attract birds.

How often to clean feeders in Colorado

Cool nights help slow spoilage at higher elevations, but warm days and sun can still turn nectar quickly.

General guidance:

In cool weather (early spring, higher elevations, cool fall), change nectar and clean feeders every 3–4 days.
In warm weather (sunny summer days, lower elevations), change nectar every 1–2 days.

Cleaning steps:

Empty old nectar.
Rinse with hot water.
Scrub all surfaces with a bottle brush; use a small brush for ports and seams.
For stubborn mold, soak in a vinegar‑and‑water solution (about 1:4), rinse very thoroughly, and dry before refilling.

Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you clean your hummingbird feeder especially for those times when the nectar is not changed soon enough and mold starts to grow.

Here’s a short video showing the basics of hummingbird feeder cleaning. This is a saucer style feeder that is leak proof and easy to take apart and clean.

Where to hang hummingbird feeders in Colorado

Placement matters in Colorado’s mix of intense sun, wind, and predators.

Helpful placement tips:

Hang feeders in light shade or morning sun/afternoon shade to slow spoilage and keep nectar cooler.
Place feeders near flower beds, shrubs, or native plantings, so birds can shift between flowers and feeders easily.
Position feeders about 4–6 feet off the ground to deter cats and give birds clear escape routes.
Shelter feeders from strong prevailing winds when possible, especially in exposed mountain or plains locations.

To reduce aggression:

Use multiple small feeders instead of one large one.
Space them 10–20 feet apart or around corners so one dominant bird can’t guard them all.

Here’s a great article that tells everything you need to know about how to choose the best place to hang your hummingbird feeder

Native plants that attract hummingbirds in Colorado

In a state with late frosts and short summers, native plants are crucial.
They provide nectar, insects, and structure in high‑elevation and semi‑arid conditions.

The USDA’s “Maintaining and Improving Habitat for Hummingbirds in Colorado, Wyoming, and South Dakota” guide lists recommended plants by ecoregion.

You can highlight some broad‑appeal choices:

Examples of good native plants for Colorado hummingbirds:

Early season (important for returning Broad‑taileds)
- Western columbine (Aquilegia formosa)
- Red columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) in suitable areas
- Currants and gooseberries (Ribes spp.)
Mid‑season
- Penstemons (Penstemon spp.) adapted to your elevation
- Scarlet gilia / skyrocket (Ipomopsis aggregata)
- Native sages and mints (regional species)
Late season (for Rufous and Calliope migrants)
- Late‑blooming penstemons and salvias
- Bee balm / wild bergamot where adapted
- Other high‑elevation or late‑flowering natives listed in the USDA guide

Creating a hummingbird‑friendly yard in Colorado

Think of your yard as a small mountain hummingbird stopover: nectar, insects, cover, and water.

Layered planting – Combine low wildflowers, medium shrubs, and taller trees to provide feeding layers, perches, and nesting sites.

Here are two short,Colorado layered planting examples you can use.

Front Range suburban yard (fence border)

In a typical Front Range backyard, you can create a layered hummingbird bed along a 10‑ to 15‑foot section of fence. In the back layer, plant 2–3 taller natives like Gambel oak, chokecherry, or a small native spruce or pine, spaced 5–6 feet apart to provide perches and shelter. In front of these, add a middle row of flowering shrubs such as golden currant, leadplant, or rabbitbrush, spaced about 3–4 feet apart for dense nectar and insect life. Along the front edge, weave a low strip of wildflowers like red columbine, penstemons, and scarlet gilia, planting every 18–24 inches to create a continuous bloom line. This three‑layer design fits a standard suburban bed yet gives Broad‑tailed and Rufous Hummingbirds safe cover, feeding layers, and high lookout branches all in one compact space.

Mountain cabin (montane/foothill setting)

At a Colorado mountain cabin, a layered hummingbird planting can blend right into the natural forest. Use existing pines, firs, or aspens as your tall back layer for perches and nesting cover. Just in front of them, plant native shrubs like serviceberry, mountain mahogany, or currants to add seasonal flowers and berries. Along the sunny edge nearest the cabin, create a low band of hummingbird favorites—western columbine, penstemons, and scarlet gilia—so birds have a rich feeding strip right where you can watch them from the porch. This soft, stepped edge between forest and cabin concentrates flowers where you can see them while still looking natural in the high‑country landscape.

Water features – Hummingbirds enjoy fresh water to drink and bathe. A shallow birdbath with a fine spray from a mister is ideal. Just make sure the water is changed regularly to keep it clean.
Here’s a solar powered bird bath.

Limit pesticides – Hummingbirds need tiny insects and spiders for protein, especially for chicks and during molt; fewer chemicals mean more natural food.

Here’s a guide to using natural pest control methods for your hummingbird garden. No toxic chemicals necessary!

Protect from windows and cats – Place feeders and key plants a safe distance from large glass surfaces and keep cats indoors or away from feeding areas.

Common hummingbird questions in Colorado

When should I put out hummingbird feeders in Colorado?
Have feeders ready by late April, especially along the Front Range and Western Slope, to welcome early Broad‑tailed and Black‑chinned Hummingbirds.

When should I take down hummingbird feeders in Colorado?
Most people can keep feeders up through September. If a few late birds are still visiting, you can leave at least one feeder up into early October, especially at lower elevations.

Do hummingbirds overwinter in Colorado?
Colorado hummingbirds are primarily migratory. A few unusual winter records may occur, but most birds leave, so feeders mainly support migrants and summer residents.

Do feeders stop hummingbirds from migrating?
No. Migration timing is driven mostly by day length and internal changes, not by whether feeders are available. Feeders simply offer extra energy during migration and before storms.

Further resources from experts

At the end of the Colorado article, you can add a short “Further resources” box with three authority links:

Maintaining and Improving Habitat for Hummingbirds in Colorado, Wyoming, and South Dakota (USDA Forest Service / Pollinator Partnership) – Region‑specific habitat and plant guide.

Hummingbirds of North America – U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service – Overview of hummingbird biology and conservation context.

Audubon Rockies – What Do Hummingbirds Really Eat in Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming? – Great explanation of nectar and insect diet in the Rockies.

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