It’s Tarantula Season in Colorado – Here’s How to Find Them

If you are anything like my wife and are terrified of any type of spider, big or small, you should probably stop reading right now. On the other hand, if you are fascinated by spiders, especially large ones, keep reading, this one is just for you.

There are a vast array of different spiders in the state of Colorado. Some are small and harmless, while others can be venomous. It might surprise some of you to know that the large, hairy spider known as the tarantula calls Colorado home.

Colorado's Tarantula Spider

The Colorado Brown Tarantula spider is the most common type of tarantula found in Colorado. Every fall, these large spiders can be seen in southeastern Colorado. These tarantula spiders that can be spotted through the end of October are all male spiders in search of a female partner.

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Much like a door-to-door salesman, the male tarantula spiders are searching for a burrow that is home to a female tarantula. Male tarantulas use their spidey senses to locate the female burrows and will "knock" at the entrance when they find a female.

La Junta, Colorado is very close to the Comanche National Grassland. The 443,000-acre preserve is one of the many areas in southeastern Colorado where tarantula spiders live and thrive according to the Pueblo Chieftain.

How to See a Colorado Tarantula in the Wild

You are going to have to take a trip to southeastern Colorado and visit La Junta as they received a grant from the Colorado Tourism Office to assist with viewing these large spiders during mating season responsibly and respectfully.

La Junta is also home to the Tarantula Fest which happens on September 27 and 28. Spider experts, food trucks, a car show, vendors, and more all come to celebrate the large Colorado spider. Find out more about the La Junta Tarantula Fest HERE.