In Colorado, warming temperatures have caused the treeline to rise, forcing species like pikas and ptarmigan to seek higher elevations for habitat, which is diminishing due to geographical limitations.

Addressing climate change necessitates both individual and collective action, which includes reducing personal carbon footprints and advocating for policy changes that support alternative energy.

America's wilderness areas, especially in Summit and Eagle counties, are now facing significant threats from climate change, a concern that was largely absent when the Wilderness Act was enacted in 1964.

Historically, threats to wilderness were limited, but the broader implications of climate change now pose risks to every acre of wilderness, even in the most remote areas.

The rapid changes in these wilderness areas are evidenced by the increasing severity and frequency of wildfires, droughts, and floods, all of which contribute to ecosystem degradation.

Declining snowpack due to rising temperatures is adversely affecting species such as snowshoe hares and lynx, leading to a cascading effect on the food web and overall biodiversity.

Wilderness areas play a crucial role in absorbing carbon, underscoring their importance in combating climate change and the urgent need for proactive conservation efforts.

Residents of the High Country are already witnessing the tangible effects of climate change, including shorter winters, earlier blooming of wildflowers, and record-breaking temperatures.

Climate change is increasingly recognized as the greatest threat to the preservation of wilderness ecosystems, impacting every living organism on Earth through interconnected ecosystems.