Colorado’s Champion Trees

Some of the state’s most magnificent trees are growing right here in Southwest Colorado. And a local nonprofit is dedicated to documenting each one. You are watching the Local News Network brought to you by the Lore Foundation and Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steak Burgers. I am Sadie Smith. The Colorado Tree Coalition tracks the three largest trees of every species in the state as part of a program called Colorado’s Champion Trees. The coalition has identified more than 800 trees statewide. La Plata County claims 21 champion trees in Montezuma County has eight.

There are lots of different species of conifer trees as well as deciduous trees, specifically hackberry and of course the different species of cottonwoods and willow trees. This is a, just a treasure trove of, of big growing trees of those species.

While many volunteers, arborists and forest service members enjoy searching for these trees, anyone is welcome to nominate a tree to see if it could be recognized as a champion.

So anybody really can nominate a tree. So I’ll collect those through the year and then starting in December, I’ll start to go through that, all those nominations and compare those to the current 2025 list, you might say, and then make the updates and changes necessary. ’cause sometimes a tree gets removed or blown over, and so the trees in like second, third place would move up

A champion. Trees measurements must meet or exceed several standards.

The three main things we’re looking at to measure a tree is the circumference of the tree or diameter circumference. Then we measure the branch spread or what we call crown spread. And then we also measure the height of the tree as well.

The true trunk circumference is measured at four and a half feet above ground level. The crown spread is calculated by measuring the widest and narrowest points of the branch spread and averaging the two and height is measured with a tool called a laser range finder. The data C creates a point value that can be compared to champions across the state and country, but tree measurements are more important than mere bragging rights. The ancient trees produce oxygen, prevent soil erosion, and provide habitat for wildlife. Documentation helps raise public awareness and support to preserve these natural landmarks.

Just kind of fun to scout around and, and see if you can find their next biggest willow tree or cottonwood or whatever. So it’s, it’s something I really enjoy. And

If you think you’ve spotted a champion tree, you can nominate [email protected]. For more information about this and other stories, visit Durango Local News. Thank you for watching this edition of the Local News Network. I am Sadie Smith.