Colorado is a popular place to hunt for mushrooms, and many people do it as a hobby here. More than 5,000 species of mushrooms can be found in the Centennial State, ranging from edible to poisonous, and even several psychedelic kinds. Those who set out to find them in the wilderness know exactly where to explore, as well as the ideal season and habitat in which certain mushrooms can be seen.

But even locals who aren't active foragers are noticing more wild mushrooms popping up this spring - and they're not tripping, there actually are more 'shrooms than usual throughout the region right now.

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Thanks to a wet winter and a spring that's already been full of lots of moisture, mushroom season is starting early in Colorado. Finding fungi can be as easy as walking out the front door and looking in your yard or neighborhood. The best time to forage for mushrooms is after a rainstorm because that's when they are most likely to fruit.

Mushrooms have been used for centuries for food and medicine. But even when they are not being collected for practical purposes, their unique colors and patterns make them fun to set out and search for just the same.

Check Out Some Mushrooms Found Around Colorado

Mushrooms can be tricky to identify. There are so many factors to consider, such as the gills underneath the cap. With even a slight gill variation, it can be an entirely different mushroom

WARNING: Extremely Dangerous Plants Growing in Colorado Right Now

If you love spending time outdoors in Colorado you need to keep an eye out for dangerous plants that can be found almost anywhere in the Centennial State. These plants can cause painful rashes and blisters, or even be fatal if consumed. Check out 14 plants to avoid at all costs for people and pets in Colorado.

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