The Colorado Peach Blog

The Colorado peach outlook is looking great for 2024. Despite a couple of late cold snaps, peach orchards across Colorado’s “Palisade peach” region of Mesa and Delta counties are forecasting at least a 60% peach crop this year.

“Conditions seem favorable for an abundant harvest of quality fruit this year”, says Nathan Meyer, head grower at The Colorado Peach Company, “Spring freeze events did some damage, but it was minimal this year. We’re past danger of freeze now, and seasonal irrigation water supplies are looking strong.”

“We usually see a couple of one-night cold snaps, and this spring was no different”, says Meyer, “That’s a normal part of peach growing. Peach trees need a location with both cold winters and warm summers in order to produce fruit.”

Although Colorado produces only 2% of the nation’s annual peach crop by volume, the state’s superior quality peaches are highly-prized and sought after by US consumers nationwide during the few short weeks they’re available each summer.

“Even in years with a heavy crop we sometimes struggle to meet demand for our tree-ripened peaches”, Meyer says, “Our crews work nonstop to make it happen year after year, they make it possible for so many people to enjoy Colorado’s uniquely delicious peaches.”

There does seem to be something truly special about Colorado’s Western Slope peaches. It’s quite possible they might be the “best peaches on earth”.

Even visitors from California -the largest producer of peaches in the US- and Georgia -a state known for its iconic peaches- all seem to agree that Colorado peaches are truly in a league of their own.

Watch for more 2024 Colorado peach crop updates as the season progresses.