About 80 different butterfly species can be found in Colorado, with the black swallowtail, two-tailed swallowtail, western swallowtail, monarch, mourning cloak, variegated fritillary, Weidemeyer’s admiral, painted lady, and checkered skipper being the most prevalent.

After the Colorado Senate Bill 96-122 was approved, Colorado became the 37th state to formally designate a state insect, the Colorado Hairstreak (Hypauurotis chrysalis). A montane butterfly, the Colorado Hairstreak is typically found in hills and canyons between 6500 and 9000 feet.

photo credit: Lenny Frieling

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