The Secrets of Colorado’s National Forests You Must Know

If not for Colorado’s incredible National Forests, the Rocky Mountains would kinda look naked. The trees cover about one-third of the centennial state, and occupy nearly 32% of the land here.

With eleven incredible National Forests in one state, it can be hard to keep track of which forest is where and what makes each one special. Continue the scroll, and learn all about each one of Colorado’s forests as we rank them from smallest to largest.

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Huge Forest Coverage — Colorado’s Green Identity

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In Colorado, the forests are our foundation. They are a green skeleton across the mountains and plateaus, shaping ecosystems around the state, providing clean water, and creating wildlife corridors. Most of this land is under public protection, with the U.S. Forest Service managing about 11.3 million acres, in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management.

More Trees + Recreation = Economic Powerhouse

Our forests in the Centennial State double as our economic engines, too. The White River National Forest alone is responsible for over $1.6 billion from recreation, skiing, camping, tourism, and supporting thousands of local jobs and vendors from around the world. With millions of visitors purchasing permits and flocking to trailheads each year, national forests are a major boost to rural economies.

Epic Wilderness Within Forests — A Wildlife Haven

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If not for Colorado’s National Forests, we would not have nearly the collection of wildlife that lives in our state today. From Weminuche Wilderness in the San Juan region to Indian Peaks Wilderness near Boulder, these protected zones are a key habitat for elk, lynx, owls, and hundreds of other species. These zones of aspen groves and alpine fir support wildlife better than in many neighboring states. Thanks to Colorado’s forests, we remain one of the best examples of biodiversity in the West.