Color gradient effects in After Effects (AE) refer to the transition between two or more colors in a smooth, seamless manner. This technique is often used in video editing and motion graphics to create visually appealing transitions or to add depth to designs. AE provides various tools and features to achieve color gradients, including the Gradient Wipe effect, the Gradient Map effect, and the Colorama effect. These tools allow users to control the gradient's direction, opacity, and color stops to create custom gradient effects.