High-Altitude Purple Gold: Western Colorado’s Unique Climate Cultivates A Thriving Lavender Industry

Western Colorado, long celebrated for its peach orchards and vineyards, is now awash in waves of purple. Lavender, once considered an exotic Mediterranean crop, has found an unexpected home in the high-altitude terrain of the Western Slope, where innovative farmers are discovering that Colorado's challenging climate produces some of the finest lavender in the nation.

Paola Legarre of Sage Creations Organic Farm in Palisade remembers when growing lavender was purely experimental. "I was looking for an alternative to tree fruit and was interested in exploring a crop that hadn't been grown commercially in the Grand Valley before," she says.

That was 2006, and what began as curiosity has blossomed into nearly two decades of dedicated cultivation. Legarre's journey illustrates the methodical approach that has made Colorado lavender farming successful. "Over the past 18 years here in Palisade, I've conducted numerous trials to determine which species and cultivars thrive in Colorado, testing close to 70 different cultivars and four species," she explains.

Photos courtesy of Balcony Botanicals

Meanwhile, at Balcony Botanicals in Hotchkiss, Kristi Stites took a different path to lavender farming. Her journey began with a personal need rather than agricultural experimentation. "Living in Colorado's dry climate, I could never find anything that really kept my skin moisturized, so I started making my own body products over 15 years ago — and lavender was always at the heart of them," Stites shares. "After years of formulation, research and visiting other farms, I realized that Colorado was the ideal place to grow lavender."

The High-Altitude Advantage

What makes Colorado lavender special isn't just where it grows, but how the challenging environment transforms the plant itself. The state's unique conditions create lavender with enhanced therapeutic properties that set it apart from crops grown at lower elevations.

"Lavender is well suited for this area because it likes an arid, sunny climate, marginal to rocky alkaline soils and cold to moderate climate," Legarre explains. But it's the altitude that creates the magic. "The specific stress factors experienced at higher altitudes can lead to alterations in the quantities and ratios of individual compounds within the essential oils that the plant produces. Higher concentration of certain beneficial chemical compounds, like high-altitude lavender, is known to have a higher concentration of linalyl acetate, an ester linked to calming, relaxing and anti-inflammatory effects."

Stites echoes this sentiment, noting how Western Colorado's natural conditions align perfectly with lavender's needs. "Western Colorado offers just about everything lavender loves: hot, dry summers, plenty of sunshine and well-drained soil," she says. "These growing conditions, paired with our high altitude and intense sun, produce hardy plants with strong essential oil content and vibrant blooms."

The soil composition also plays a crucial role. As Stites explains, "Many areas of Western Colorado naturally meet those needs, with slightly alkaline soils in the ideal pH range of six and a half to eight and high levels of calcium, which lavender loves."

The Versatility of Colorado Lavender

While lavender's visual appeal draws visitors to farms across the Western Slope, its culinary applications are opening new markets. The high-altitude growing conditions create unique flavor profiles that distinguish Colorado lavender from varieties grown elsewhere.

"Lavender at higher elevations are also known to have different aroma and taste profiles compared to that of lavender grown at a lower elevation," Legarre says. "This attribute in high elevation grown lavender lends itself well to use as a flavoring for beverages like wine ciders, beers, teas and coffees."

Stites has discovered similar culinary potential at Balcony Botanicals. "The culinary potential of lavender has become one of the most exciting areas of focus on the farm," she says. "Most people don't realize that culinary lavender — usually English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) — varies widely in taste depending on the variety, much like grapes in winemaking. Some are sweet and floral, others more savory, herbal or citrusy."

Photos courtesy of Sage Creations Organic Farm

Meeting Growing Demand

The lavender industry in Colorado is responding to a broader cultural shift toward natural, locally-sourced products. Stites has observed this trend firsthand: "People are craving connection — to where their products come from, to what's in them and to who's making them. Lavender isn't just pretty and relaxing anymore — it's part of a bigger story about wellness, sustainability and supporting local makers."

This demand extends beyond traditional uses. "There's also been a clear shift toward all-natural, ingredient-conscious living," Stites explains. "In skincare, people are reading labels, avoiding synthetic fragrances and looking for plant-based solutions that actually work. In the culinary world, chefs and home cooks alike are embracing lavender for its unique flavor profile — especially when they can trace it back to a local farm."

Looking Forward

The future of Colorado lavender appears bright, with established growers optimistic about the industry's potential. "I strongly believe that Colorado has the potential to lead the national lavender industry by demonstrating that we can produce a consistently high-quality product," Legarre says. "Beyond its beauty, lavender is also a remarkably versatile ingredient and flavoring that can be incorporated into many other products made right here in our state." Legarre has made teaching a cornerstone of her work, recently authoring Lavender for All Seasons: A Gardener's Guide to Growing and Creating with Lavender Year-Round.

For newer operations like Balcony Botanicals, the focus remains on quality and education. "Lavender is still an emerging agricultural industry in both Colorado and the U.S., and there's a lot we're all still learning," Stites reflects. "I want to continue educating people on the real benefits of lavender — not just the scent, but the science — and help others understand its wide range of uses, from their skin to their food."

Whether you're drawn by the sight of purple fields stretching toward the mountains, the therapeutic benefits of high-altitude essential oils or the unique flavors that only Colorado's climate can produce, one thing is clear: lavender has found its home on the Western Slope, and it's here to stay.

Originally published in the fall 2025 issue of Spoke+Blossom.