By Patte Smith; courtesy photo

Spring is here, and many farmers markets open during the month of May. It is time to get out and enjoy the weather and stroll through markets offering fresh produce, home-grown flowers, arts and crafts, local brewed beer and activities for kids.

When heading up to the mountains this summer to camp, fish, bike, visit friends or take a day trip, there are many farmers markets in Colorado for travelers to purchase locally-grown flavorful and fresh produce. Whether you are taking a trip to Durango to ride the Silverton train, attending the Mountain Arts Festival in Woodland Park, strolling through the Estes Park shops or plan to ride the rapids in Buena Vista, you can find a farmers market close by and grab some fresh food.

Here are a few farmers markets close to home:

Boulter’s 5280 Urban Market
560 East Castle Pines Parkway (Old Safeway parking lot)
Wednesdays, May 31 through September 27
3 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Castle Rock Farmers Market
3rd Street & Elbert Street
Castle Rock
Saturdays, July 13 through October 5
8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Cherry Creek Farmers Market
First and University, Denver
Wednesdays, June 14 through September 27
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Saturdays, May 6 through October 28
8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Elizabeth Farmers Market
165 Main Street
(Corner of Highway 86 and Main Street)
Saturdays: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
May 27 through September 30

Highlands Ranch Farmers Market
Highlands Ranch Town Center
9288 Dorchester Street
Sundays, May 7 through October 29
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. or sellout

Old South Pearl Street Farmers Market
1400 and 1500 block of South Pearl Street, Denver
Sundays, May 21 through November 19
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Littleton Farmers Market
Aspen Grove Lifestyle Center
7301 South Santa Fe Drive
Wednesdays, June 14 through October 11
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. or sellout

Lone Tree Farmers Market
Park Meadows Movie Theater Parking Lot
9355 Park Meadows Drive
Saturdays, May 13 through September 30
8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Parker Farmers Market
Parker Road and East Main Street
Sundays, May 14 through October 29
7 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Saturday Boulder Farmers Market
13th Street between Canyon & Arapahoe
April 1 through November 18
8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Live music weekly 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Artisan shows April 8, May 13, June 10, July 8, August 12, September 9 and October 14

Southlands Farmers Market
Southlands Mall, Aurora
Saturdays, May 13 through October 28
8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Southwest Plaza Farmers Market
Southeast Parking Lot
Wadsworth & Bowles
Saturdays, May 6 through October 28
8 a.m. – 2 p.m. or sellout

Union Station Farmers Market
Denver Union Station Plaza
1701 Wynkoop Street
Saturdays, June 3 through October 28
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Wednesday Boulder Farmers Market
13th Street between Canyon & Arapahoe
Wednesday, May 3 through October 4
4 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Local farmers markets worth checking out:

Breckenridge Sunday Market
Main Street Station Plaza and The Village at Breckenridge
Sundays, June 18 through September 10
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (no market July 2)

Buena Vista Farmers Market
South Main Town Square
Fridays, June through October
3 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Cañon City Farmers Market
Veterans Park
211 South 3rd Street
Tuesdays, June 6 through September 26
8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Crested Butte Farmers Market
2nd and Elk Avenue, Crested Butte
Sundays, June 4 through October 1
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
(Sunday, August 6 another location is TBD due to the CB Arts Festival)

Dillon Farmers Market
Buffalo Street Downtown Dillon
Fridays, June 9 through September 15
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Durango Farmers Market
First National Bank parking lot
259 West 9th Street
Saturdays, May 13 through October 28
8 a.m. – Noon

Estes Park Farmers Market
Bond Park and MacGregor Avenue
Thursday, June 1 through September 28
8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Evergreen Farmers Market
Evergreen Country Day School
1036 El Rancho Road, next to Home Depot
Tuesdays, June 6 through August 29
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. rain or shine

Golden Farmers Market
1019 10th Street
Saturdays, June 3 through October 7
(except July 29)
8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Longmont Farmers Market
Boulder County Fairgrounds
9595 Nelson Road
Saturdays, April 1 through November 18
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Monument Farmers Market
66 Jefferson Street
Saturdays, May 27 – October 14
8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Salida Farmers Market
Alpine Park, 5th Street & E Street
Saturdays, June through October
8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Steamboat Springs Farmers Market
7th and Yampa Streets
Saturdays, June 10 through September 16
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Woodland Park Farmers Market
Memorial Park & Henrietta Ave.
Fridays, June 9 through Sept. 29
8 a.m. – 1 p.m.