As the peak of Colorado's leaf-peeping season passes, the window for mountain towns to benefit economically from fall tourism is quickly closing.

Many visitors drive into the mountains to admire the changing aspen leaves, then leave without spending much money locally. While nature's beauty is free, that trend can be tough for small towns that rely on tourism to support local businesses.

Georgetown, a historic community in Clear Creek County, has been one of this year's leaf-peeping hot spots. Traffic on Guanella Pass has been so heavy that the sheriff's office temporarily blocked access at times to manage the flow of vehicles.

Hikers enjoy fall colors at Guanella Pass in Georgetown, Colorado on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025. Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post via Getty Images

Despite the

See Full Page