Cottonwood trees are the largest living things in Colorado, and the oldest living things on the Rocky Mountain’s Front Range. Only the bristlecone pines of Western Colorado are older, and they are the some of the oldest trees in the world. Our cottonwoods are such a familiar part of our landscape, that we often hardly notice them as we pass by them every day. They can get our attention though, such as in the spring when they release their seeds wrapped in “cotton”, or when a large limb falls unexpectedly. More often than not though, we rest in their shade in our parks, or on a hike on a hot day.
