Colorado Life Zones Info

The elevation of the montane life zone is from 8,000 to 9,999 ft above sea level.    You can tell that you are getting higher in the mountains by the cooler temperatures and by the increased precipitation. When the temperature in the desert is 100 degrees F, the temperature in the montane may be 75 degrees F.

One of the best ways to know if you are in the montane is to look at the plants and trees around you.  After leaving the oakbrush in the upper part of the foothills, you will enter large forests of pine trees and aspen trees. Enough rain and snow falls here to support large forests.  Though, the plants here must be able to survive through cold temperatures and large snow drifts.

Animals in the montane have adapted by migrating down to lower elevations in the winter (mule deer), by growing thick warm fur (marten), by changing colors to blend in to the snow (snowshoe hare), or by hibernating (black bears).

Desert (Southwest CO)

Plains

Foothills Life Zone

Montane Life Zone

Subalpine Life Zone

Alpine Life Zone

Gray Jay