Colorado Photo of the Month
Check back each month to see our favorite nature photos from Colorado!
This page was updated on May 1st, 2022.
Places We Protect in Colorado
Learn more about Carpenter Ranch, Phantom Canyon, Medano-Zapata Ranch, Trampe Ranch, and the other special places our supporters have helped protect in Colorado.
![Wildflowers bloom on a green hill with mountains in the background.](https://natureconservancy-h.assetsadobe.com/is/image/content/dam/tnc/nature/en/photos/t/n/TNC_PC2021_b16887fa4b46326c24c4d6b9eae0e94d-original.jpg?crop=0%2C52%2C2507%2C1566&wid=640&hei=400&scl=3.9171875)
May 2022
Spring is in the air!
© Inna Sherman/TNC Photo Contest 2021
![A baby tree just planted sits next to a shovel and burned tree.](https://natureconservancy-h.assetsadobe.com/is/image/content/dam/tnc/nature/en/photos/5/1/51451904753_8b986f71aa_k.jpg?crop=0%2C42%2C2048%2C1280&wid=640&hei=400&scl=3.2)
April 2022
Alongside partners, TNC in CO is working to replant a double-burn scar forest - first burned by the High Park fire in 2012 & again by the Cameron Peak fire in 2020.
© PrylinskiProductions
May 2022
Spring is in the air!
© Inna Sherman/TNC Photo Contest 2021
April 2022
Alongside partners, TNC in CO is working to replant a double-burn scar forest - first burned by the High Park fire in 2012 & again by the Cameron Peak fire in 2020.
© PrylinskiProductions
![A river flowing through snow.](https://natureconservancy-h.assetsadobe.com/is/image/content/dam/tnc/nature/en/photos/t/n/TNC_PC2021_0734a63c98c30fe7bd3c1917ca4b992a-original.jpeg?crop=0%2C134%2C2038%2C1273&wid=640&hei=400&scl=3.184375)
March 2022
The Animas River flows through snowy southwest Colorado.
© Deirdre Denali Rosenberg/TNC Photo Contest 2021
![Aerial shot of a tree on snowy ground.](https://natureconservancy-h.assetsadobe.com/is/image/content/dam/tnc/nature/en/photos/t/w/two-trees.jpg?crop=0%2C93%2C1500%2C937&wid=640&hei=400&scl=2.34375)
February 2022
Two trees glow after a Colorado snow storm.
© Mei Xu/TNC Photo Contest
March 2022
The Animas River flows through snowy southwest Colorado.
© Deirdre Denali Rosenberg/TNC Photo Contest 2021
February 2022
Two trees glow after a Colorado snow storm.
© Mei Xu/TNC Photo Contest
![A pine marten peeks out of the snow.](https://natureconservancy-h.assetsadobe.com/is/image/content/dam/tnc/nature/en/photos/t/n/TNC_PC2021_9b8e16c2e6dd9bf827607f4a775c602e-original.jpg?crop=0%2C754%2C4024%2C2515&wid=640&hei=400&scl=6.2875)
January 2022
A beautiful pine marten peeks out of the snow in its natural winter habitat in Northern Quebec.
© Albert Michaud/TNC Photo Contest 2021
December 2021
A red fox on a cold winter morning in Boulder, CO.
© Christopher Sichko/TNC Photo Contest 2021
January 2022
A beautiful pine marten peeks out of the snow in its natural winter habitat in Northern Quebec.
© Albert Michaud/TNC Photo Contest 2021
December 2021
A red fox on a cold winter morning in Boulder, CO.
© Christopher Sichko/TNC Photo Contest 2021
![Two moose walk into an autumn forest.](https://natureconservancy-h.assetsadobe.com/is/image/content/dam/tnc/nature/en/photos/TNC_PC2021_0d39b158591db56b51d1827f1077fed4-original.jpg?crop=0%2C156%2C7360%2C4600&wid=640&hei=400&scl=11.5)
November 2021
A mother moose and her baby take a walk through an autumn forest.
© Deirdre Denali Rosenberg/TNC Photo Contest 2021
![Pine and spruce trees reflect off of a lake.](https://natureconservancy-h.assetsadobe.com/is/image/content/dam/tnc/nature/en/photos/t/n/TNC_PC2021_c6d6ddcbf9a7c446382f17b273a9b5bb-original.jpg?crop=0%2C176%2C4880%2C3050&wid=640&hei=400&scl=7.625)
October 2021
From TNC's 2021 Photo Contest, spruce and pine trees reflect off of a still lake in White River National Forest.
© John Rudy/TNC Photo Contest 2021
November 2021
A mother moose and her baby take a walk through an autumn forest.
© Deirdre Denali Rosenberg/TNC Photo Contest 2021
October 2021
From TNC's 2021 Photo Contest, spruce and pine trees reflect off of a still lake in White River National Forest.
© John Rudy/TNC Photo Contest 2021
![Wildflowers bloom along a rushing river.](https://natureconservancy-h.assetsadobe.com/is/image/content/dam/tnc/nature/en/photos/w/a/ward-colorado-wildflowers-Wayne-Ostlie.jpg?crop=0%2C25%2C1600%2C1000&wid=640&hei=400&scl=2.5)
September 2021
Wildflowers bloom along a rushing river north of Ward, Colorado.
© Wayne Ostlie
![A forest with many pine trees and bodies of water.](https://natureconservancy-h.assetsadobe.com/is/image/content/dam/tnc/nature/en/photos/c/o/CO_SanJuanWatershed_JHOUSTON_20210615_01056.jpg?crop=0%2C52%2C2508%2C1567&wid=640&hei=400&scl=3.91875)
August 2021
The upper San Juan River north of Pagosa Springs, Colorado.
© Jason Houston
September 2021
Wildflowers bloom along a rushing river north of Ward, Colorado.
© Wayne Ostlie
August 2021
The upper San Juan River north of Pagosa Springs, Colorado.
© Jason Houston
![A silhouette of a bird singing on a tree.](https://natureconservancy-h.assetsadobe.com/is/image/content/dam/tnc/nature/en/photos/n/c/NC_MigratoryBirds_20210412_1.jpg?crop=0%2C32%2C1600%2C1000&wid=640&hei=400&scl=2.5)
July 2021
From TNC's 2019 Photo Contest, a chestnut-sided warbler sings out.
© Raymond Hennessy/TNC Photo Contest 2019
![A boat sits on a lake with mountains and trees reflecting in the lake.](https://natureconservancy-h.assetsadobe.com/is/image/content/dam/tnc/nature/en/photos/t/n/tnc_52664559.jpg?crop=0%2C42%2C2000%2C1250&wid=640&hei=400&scl=3.125)
June 2021
Mirror-like still waters of Lake Irwin, near Crested Butte, Colorado.
© Mount Owen
July 2021
From TNC's 2019 Photo Contest, a chestnut-sided warbler sings out.
© Raymond Hennessy/TNC Photo Contest 2019
June 2021
Mirror-like still waters of Lake Irwin, near Crested Butte, Colorado.
© Mount Owen
![Cacti blooming at JE Canyon Ranch.](https://natureconservancy-h.assetsadobe.com/is/image/content/dam/tnc/nature/en/photos/m/a/march18-flowers-je-canyon-coorado.jpg?crop=0%2C83%2C4000%2C2500&wid=640&hei=400&scl=6.25)
May 2021
Cacti blooming at JE Canyon Ranch.
© Audrey Wolk/TNC
![A bird perches on yellow flowers.](https://natureconservancy-h.assetsadobe.com/is/image/content/dam/tnc/nature/en/photos/c/o/CO_WOPA050810_D121.jpg?crop=0%2C52%2C2508%2C1567&wid=640&hei=400&scl=3.91875)
April 2021
White-crowned sparrow in Crested Butte, Colorado.
© Larry Kimball
May 2021
Cacti blooming at JE Canyon Ranch.
© Audrey Wolk/TNC
April 2021
White-crowned sparrow in Crested Butte, Colorado.
© Larry Kimball
![Malvaceae on an orange flower.](https://natureconservancy-h.assetsadobe.com/is/image/content/dam/tnc/nature/en/photos/c/o/CO_WOPA271014_D219.jpg?crop=0%2C50%2C2510%2C1568&wid=640&hei=400&scl=3.921875)
April 2021
Malvaceae pollinating in Colorado.
© Mark Skalny
![Water flowing.](https://natureconservancy-h.assetsadobe.com/is/image/content/dam/tnc/nature/en/photos/t/n/tnc_68401505_4000x2200.jpg?crop=240%2C0%2C3520%2C2200&wid=640&hei=400&scl=5.5)
March 2021
Close up of the Animas River, a tributary of the San Juan River, flows through Durango, Colorado. The Animas is part of the larger Colorado River basin.
© Erika Nortemann/TNC
April 2021
Malvaceae pollinating in Colorado.
© Mark Skalny
March 2021
Close up of the Animas River, a tributary of the San Juan River, flows through Durango, Colorado. The Animas is part of the larger Colorado River basin.
© Erika Nortemann/TNC
![Cattle on a snowy ranch with misty mountains and trees in the background.](https://natureconservancy-h.assetsadobe.com/is/image/content/dam/tnc/nature/en/photos/c/o/CO_WOPA131104_D120.jpg?crop=0%2C52%2C2508%2C1567&wid=640&hei=400&scl=3.91875)
February 2021
The James Ranch near Durango, Colorado uses water from the Animas River to irrigate their crops and water their livestock.
© Erika Nortemann/TNC
![Snowy mountains on a cloudy day.](https://natureconservancy-h.assetsadobe.com/is/image/content/dam/tnc/nature/en/photos/c/o/CO_022616_D-33.jpg?crop=0%2C46%2C2516%2C1572&wid=640&hei=400&scl=3.93125)
January 2021
1 mile ENE of Independence Pass, Colorado.
© Chris Pague/TNC
February 2021
The James Ranch near Durango, Colorado uses water from the Animas River to irrigate their crops and water their livestock.
© Erika Nortemann/TNC
January 2021
1 mile ENE of Independence Pass, Colorado.
© Chris Pague/TNC
![A barn owl lifting off from the reeds while hunting the frozen landscape.](https://natureconservancy-h.assetsadobe.com/is/image/content/dam/tnc/nature/en/photos/b/a/BarnOwl_StaceyHowellTNCPhotoContest2018_2000x1100.png?crop=120%2C0%2C1760%2C1100&wid=640&hei=400&scl=2.75)
December 2020
A barn owl lifting off from the reeds while hunting the frozen landscape.
© Stacy Howell / TNC Photo Contest 2018
![A misty lake surrounded by snowy mountains and trees.](https://natureconservancy-h.assetsadobe.com/is/image/content/dam/tnc/nature/en/photos/c/o/colorado-emerald-lake.jpg?crop=0%2C79%2C4000%2C2500&wid=640&hei=400&scl=6.25)
November 2020
Emerald Lake captured on a moody Colorado morning.
© Tarissa Host/TNC Photo Contest 2019
December 2020
A barn owl lifting off from the reeds while hunting the frozen landscape.
© Stacy Howell / TNC Photo Contest 2018
November 2020
Emerald Lake captured on a moody Colorado morning.
© Tarissa Host/TNC Photo Contest 2019
![A green field surrounded by trees, with a male and female elk grazing in the mid-distance.](https://natureconservancy-h.assetsadobe.com/is/image/content/dam/tnc/nature/en/photos/c/o/colorado-elk-kim-baker.jpg?crop=0%2C83%2C4000%2C2500&wid=640&hei=400&scl=6.25)
October 2020
A pair of elk in Telluride Valley, southwesetern Colorado.
© Kim Baker
![Bright red wildflowers on a Colorado hillside, with snowy mountains and blue sky in the distance.](https://natureconservancy-h.assetsadobe.com/is/image/content/dam/tnc/nature/en/photos/w/i/wildflowers-shine-ridge-colorado.jpg?crop=0%2C79%2C2980%2C1862&wid=640&hei=400&scl=4.65625)
September 2020
The view from Shrine Ridge, Colorado, looking west toward Holy Cross Wilderness in the distance.
© Jeanne Frasse
October 2020
A pair of elk in Telluride Valley, southwesetern Colorado.
© Kim Baker
September 2020
The view from Shrine Ridge, Colorado, looking west toward Holy Cross Wilderness in the distance.
© Jeanne Frasse
![Orange, purple and gold sunset over mountains.](https://natureconservancy-h.assetsadobe.com/is/image/content/dam/tnc/nature/en/photos/c/o/colorado-sunset-je-canyon-ranch-autry.jpg?crop=0%2C252%2C4032%2C2520&wid=640&hei=400&scl=6.3)
August 2020
A Colorado sunset at JE Canyon Ranch.
© JJ Autry/TNC
![A grassy hillside covered in yellow flowers.](https://natureconservancy-h.assetsadobe.com/is/image/content/dam/tnc/nature/en/photos/w/i/wildflowers-wolk.jpg?crop=0%2C55%2C1024%2C640&wid=640&hei=400&scl=1.6)
July 2020
Summer wildflowers in the Colorado mountains.
© Audrey Wolk/TNC
August 2020
A Colorado sunset at JE Canyon Ranch.
© JJ Autry/TNC
July 2020
Summer wildflowers in the Colorado mountains.
© Audrey Wolk/TNC
![A tiny grasshopper with a stripy white, black and red pattern, sitting on a person's finger.](https://natureconservancy-h.assetsadobe.com/is/image/content/dam/tnc/nature/en/photos/b/a/barber-pole-grasshopper-fishers-peak-colorado.jpg?crop=0%2C64%2C1600%2C1000&wid=640&hei=400&scl=2.5)
June 2020
A barber pole grasshopper perches on a TNC staff member’s finger at JE Canyon preserve in Southeast Colorado.
© Gustavo Lozada/TNC
![Closeup of white flower buds on a reddish brown branch against a bright blue sky.](https://natureconservancy-h.assetsadobe.com/is/image/content/dam/tnc/nature/en/photos/c/o/co-boulder-flower-buds-haley-pope.jpg?crop=0%2C79%2C4000%2C2500&wid=640&hei=400&scl=6.25)
May 2020
Flowers budding on a spring day in Boulder, Colorado.
© Haley Pope/TNC
June 2020
A barber pole grasshopper perches on a TNC staff member’s finger at JE Canyon preserve in Southeast Colorado.
© Gustavo Lozada/TNC
May 2020
Flowers budding on a spring day in Boulder, Colorado.
© Haley Pope/TNC
![A mountain valley with green grass and purple wildflowers with dramatic clouds in the sky.](https://natureconservancy-h.assetsadobe.com/is/image/content/dam/tnc/nature/en/photos/c/o/ColoradoWildflowersLupen.jpg?crop=0%2C33%2C1600%2C1000&wid=640&hei=400&scl=2.5)
April 2020
Colorado's peak wild flower season near Crested Butte, Colorado.
© Ethan Herrold/TNC Photo Contest 2019
![A bighorn sheep with large curved horns facing the camera with snow falling around it.](https://natureconservancy-h.assetsadobe.com/is/image/content/dam/tnc/nature/en/photos/b/i/bighorn-sheep-ram.jpg?crop=0%2C0%2C640%2C400&wid=640&hei=400&scl=1.0)
March 2020
During the autumn rut, a bighorn sheep ram charges up through the rabbitbrush covered in snow from an early snowstorm. Location: Canyon in Colorado.
© Shane Morrison/TNC Photo Contest 2019
April 2020
Colorado's peak wild flower season near Crested Butte, Colorado.
© Ethan Herrold/TNC Photo Contest 2019
March 2020
During the autumn rut, a bighorn sheep ram charges up through the rabbitbrush covered in snow from an early snowstorm. Location: Canyon in Colorado.
© Shane Morrison/TNC Photo Contest 2019
![A white rabbit with black ears, seen in profile sitting in white snow.](https://natureconservancy-h.assetsadobe.com/is/image/content/dam/tnc/nature/en/photos/s/n/snowshoe-hare.jpg?crop=0%2C37%2C1600%2C1000&wid=640&hei=400&scl=2.5)
February 2020
A snowshoe hare is camouflaged in a wooded, snowy setting in Colorado.
© Christopher Brown
![A dear standing in tall vegetation that has a white coating of snow.](https://natureconservancy-h.assetsadobe.com/is/image/content/dam/tnc/nature/en/photos/m/u/Mule-Deer.jpg?crop=0%2C30%2C1600%2C1000&wid=640&hei=400&scl=2.5)
January 2020
A mule deer surveys the landscape, body dusted with snow. Countless adaptations, shaped through evolution, allow this animal to withstand the brutal cold of a Colorado winter.
© Carmen Cromer/TNC Photo Contest 2019
February 2020
A snowshoe hare is camouflaged in a wooded, snowy setting in Colorado.
© Christopher Brown
January 2020
A mule deer surveys the landscape, body dusted with snow. Countless adaptations, shaped through evolution, allow this animal to withstand the brutal cold of a Colorado winter.
© Carmen Cromer/TNC Photo Contest 2019
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