Anderson Farms runs annual U-Pick Sunflowers event through August 23

Every August, Colorado’s sunflower fields go viral, and every August, somebody drives a Honda Civic into a farmer’s crop to get the perfect shot.

The sunflower fields near Denver International Airport have been an Instagram magnet for years, but they’ve also been a headache for Adams County farmers and the sheriff’s office, which has fielded “countless” complaints about trespassers walking, driving and occasionally trampling their way through private fields in pursuit of content. The land is owned by the airport and leased to the farmers who grow the crops. Criminal trespass carries up to six months in jail and a $750 fine. Even DEN’s own Instagram account has pleaded with visitors to stay on the road and respect the “no trespassing” signs. The problem got bad enough that in 2023, Adams County partnered with CSU Extension to grow a public “decoy” sunflower patch at the Riverdale animal shelter, essentially building an influencer trap to keep people off working farms.

There is, however, a simpler solution. Anderson Farms in Erie — about 35 minutes north of Denver — is running its annual U-Pick Sunflowers from Aug. 1 through Aug. 23, offering 15 acres of sunflowers that you are not only allowed to walk through, but actively encouraged to cut and take home. Admission runs $12 to $20 depending on the time slot, timed tickets are required, and the farm also hosts a special “Sunrise in the Sunflowers” event for early risers who want golden-hour photos without the golden-hour guilt. A $79 season pass gets unlimited visits to both the sunflower fields and the fall festival.

The farm is at 6728 County Road 3¼, Erie. More information and tickets at andersonfarms.com.