The Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park in northern Colorado was established in 1915. It preserves a 265,727-acre portion of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains; the Continental Divide runs through the park. Above the timberline (about 11,000 feet), trees give way to alpine tundra where ground-hugging dwarf vegetation provides food for animals. Among the 150 species of birds that live in or visit the park, year-round residents include rosefinch, grouse, ptarmigans, great horned owls, jays, woodpeckers, nutcrackers, chickadees, and nuthatches. Chipmunks and ground squirrels draw golden eagles to the park in summer. The park was designated a Biosphere Reserve in 1976.