This is our celebrated tree of fall, the quaking aspen so named for those leaves that flicker in the breeze, twinkle in the sun and stir our souls. Maybe you didn't know that about the name ...

An aspen leaf hangs from a tree as the bright yellow landscape of Rabbit Ears Pass fills the background on Oct. 2, 2023. John F. Russell/Steamboat Pilot & Today ...

It was a reminder of the phenomenon found to be sweeping Colorado’s favorite tree of fall. Around the turn of this century, scientists starting tracking what became called sudden aspen decline.

Aspen leaves turn golden yellow, orange and red in the fall, and they account for 20% of the state's forests, so Coloradans can expect to see plenty of those colors as fall foliage peaks this season.