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.

The aspen tree (Populus tremuloides) is the most widely distributed tree species in North America, ranging from Alaska to Newfoundland and down the Rocky Mountains to Mexico. Utah and Colorado ...

so carving into one tree can potentially damage multiple trees. Additionally, aspen bark can photosynthesize at 30%-50% of the capability of its leaves, according to the Colorado Native Plant Society.

Northern Colorado ... Tunnel Campground. Emmaline Lake: This trail in the Comanche Peak Wilderness did not escape the fire. In the first couple of miles along that trail, you will see young aspen ...

It is the season of envy in Colorado. The all-too-brief time of year when we admire our forests in their finest states — awash in gold. It is, of course, aspen putting on the dazzling displays.

So I would say that the tree color would be healthy and typical for a fall in northwestern Colorado,” said Samuel Hahn, a forester for the Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District north of Steamboat.

Look beyond Colorado’s shimmering yellow aspen trees for wonderful leaf-peeping ... City Park alone has more than 100 tree species, including some oaks and maples that provide orange and red ...