Colorado peaches are tree-ripened and after purchasing, best left at room temperature until the fruit becomes perfectly soft and smells “peachy” at the stem area. Softer peaches can be refrigerated if they will not be eaten right away. A box of peaches can be left out at room temperature and surveyed daily to remove (and enjoy!) the softest ones. Our family will keep several boxes out at room temp for a week or more, gently checking the softness near the stem area daily to determine which peaches are "ready" to bite or cut into!