The legislative body has demonstrated a meaningful commitment to the conservation and restoration of our scenic landscapes– making Colorado even more colorful by passing, HB26-1332 Practices to Support Pollinators. What the Law Will Mean The 2024 Colorado Native Pollinating Insects Health Study made something clear: habitat loss and non-native plants are some of the primary drivers of pollinator decline in Colorado. It also pointed to what the state should do about it– priori

Flowers are revolutionaries. When flowering plants evolved, they swiftly transformed the planet, and their productivity sustains much of life today. From rainforests to prairies to seagrass meadows, much of the Earth’s diversity is now directly dependent on flowering plants. Without flowers, primates would not have evolved and our ancestors would never have ventured beyond the forest in grasslands. Using examples from his latest book, How Flowers Made Our World, David Haskell

Native plants that call the Front Range home are uniquely adapted to a mix of prairie and mountainous landscapes. Plants here are well adapted to high elevation, semi-arid and very sunny climates. Common Name Scientific Name Mature Size Water Exposure Wildlife Value Common Yarrow (perennial) Achillea millefolium (A.lanatum) 18”x18” low-medium sun/part shade Native pollinators, bees, and butterflies Rabbitbrush (perennial) Ericameria nauseosa (Chrysothamus nauseosus) 4’x3’ low

The Colorado Prairie is dominated by shortgrass prairie and wildflower. Taller grasses appear in swathes, and big cottonwood trees cast their shade over rivers and creeks that run through the plains. The majority of plants here have co-evolved with range animals, they send roots deep down into the soil and are able to survive low water availability and intense grazing. When conditions are right, they become vibrant with beauty. Common Name Scientific Name Mature Size Water Ex

Colorado’s mountainous region is home to immense beauty, but can be quite limited. The summer season is short and life in the rockies is harsh. Plants are exposed to cool nights, harsh sunlight, and high winds. The soils they in are nutritionally low, well draining, and get more precipitation than other Colorado plants. These plants, while their season is short, can be remarkably beautiful. Common Name Scientific Name Mature Size Water Exposure Wildlife Value Black Eyed Susan

Classified as a semi-arid desert shrubland, gardening and farming in the Western Slope poses unique challenges. The region has low humidity, and low precipitation as well as alkaline soils that drain poorly. Summers are hot and nights are cold. Plants here are well adapted to these conditions and can thrive in the harsh climate characteristic of the Western Slope, and planting native allows for the beautiful blooming and greening that happens around monsoon season. Common Nam

This region of Colorado is the hottest and driest region in the state. Experiencing over 60 days above 90 degrees, and very little precipitation, only select plants can thrive well here. The use of native plants in this region enhances natural beauty, and provides for the 400+ species birds that utilize this region as a migratory layover and conserves precious water resources. Common Name Scientific Name Mature Size Water Exposure Wildlife Value Crested Prickly Poppy Argemone

Each year, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) puts out its Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce , highlighting what’s known as the “ Dirty Dozen ”, a list of fruits and veggies that tend to carry the highest levels of pesticide residues. Photo from EWG. And it’s not just obscure items—it’s some of our everyday staples. Strawberries, spinach, kale, grapes, apples… foods many of us toss into our carts without a second thought. To be clear, this isn’t about scaring anyon

The Nevada Bumble Bee, Bombus nevadensis, is the quintessential flying teddy bear bumbling through your garden. Look for Bombus queens emerging from their underground nests in late spring—which could be quite soon with this year’s warm weather! Relatively common, B. nevadensis has been documented from Mexico to Alaska, as far East as Wisconsin, and from the prairie to above 7,000 ft. Early blooming flowers are critical for bumblebee queens’ survival when they emerge after