Colorado champion tree program

 

Colorado has many large and beautiful trees and The CTC Champion Tree Program maintains records of the largest trees in the state. Each year we accept nominations from rural and urban areas all over the state. The annual deadline is December 1st, and after that the search begins again for even bigger trees.


Nominate a tree today!

You don’t need to be an expert or a forester to nominate a tree. If you know a large tree you’d like to nominate, read more here. However, all new nominations must be verified prior to submitting the form. You can check with local Colorado State Forest Service field office or contact your local city or town forester.

 

Colorado’s State Tree - The Colorado Blue Spruce

Currently Colorado has 3 first place state and national champion blue spruces (Picea pungens). Three are in La Plata County about 10 miles North of Durango, and one outside of Sawpit, Colorado. The tree scores are 323.65, 319.62, and 315.23 points, the tallest is 180′, followed by 156′ and 154′. They are listed on the champion tree list.

State Champion tree registry

The Colorado Tree Coalition Champion Tree Program maintains a database with records of over 700 trees. Trees are listed in the registry by their common names. The listing only includes the general location of the tree. Contact Neal Bamesberger for more specific directions.

2024 State Champion tree list sorted alphabetically

2024 State Champion tree list sorted by county

Photo gallery of Colorado’s State Champion trees

 

Colorado’s National Champion Trees

Colorado currently has eight trees on the American Forests National Champion Tree Register. These trees are the biggest of their species as reported to American Forests in the current year. Click the images below to see each tree’s measurements and location. Learn more about Colorado’s National Champions and others at American Forests’ National Register of Champion Trees.


National Champion Trees that have died

Photo credit: Boulder County Open Space https://bouldercountyopenspace.org/i/activities/carve-selected-works-from-the-champion-cottonwood/

Plains Cottonwood, Longmont, CO

This stately tree on the Western edge of Longmont was estimated to be over 145 years old, 105 feet tall and 11.5′ feet in diameter died in 2012. It was on the National Register of Big Trees since 1964. Read here to find out how Boulder County honored this large cottonwood.

Blue spruce, Hermosa Creek Drainage near Durango, CO

In 2018 this 166’ tree was destroyed in the 416 Fire in the Hermosa Creek Drainage Area. See this Durango Herald news story for more information.