The Columbine Challenge has been met and mastered! Common mullein, an introduced weed, has officially lost its crown as the most observed plant in Colorado on iNaturalist. Even after surpassing mullein, participants were urged to push forward and make our iconic blue columbine (Aquilegia coerulea) the only plant with more than 10,000 observations in the state. And we did it!
The iNaturalist page from Colorado Flora
Aquilegia coerulea, blue columbine, the most observations of any plant in Colorado, thanks to the Columbine Challenge!
Photo: SPD
Colorado’s state flower certainly deserves the top spot—a fitting tribute since it also sits front and center on the Colorado Native Plant Society (CoNPS) logo. Crowning the columbine holds special meaning in 2026, which marks both Colorado’s Sesquicentennial (150 years of statehood) and the 50th Anniversary of CoNPS. Richard Alward, a member of the CoNPS Plateau Chapter, conceived the challenge to honor these dual milestones and inspire people across Colorado to get outside and celebrate our state’s botanical beauty and diversity
To build momentum, CoNPS hosted training sessions statewide. Executive Director Maggie Gaddis shared her perspective on the project’s impact:
“The Colorado Columbine Challenge is what we call a mission moment. Everything about this project is exciting and motivating. It speaks to the collaboration of community science and to the inspiration that nature provides.”
One hike in the James Peak Wilderness Area delivered on that promise when CoNPS members discovered an explosion of columbines safely ensconced in the crevices of a rock tower alongside a bouquet of castillejas, arnicas, and silky phacelia.
A riot of color in the James Peak Wilderness – designed by nature!
Photo: SPD
Aquilegia coerulea, the star of the show. CoNPS adopted Aquilegia
as the name of its official newsletter which grew into the magazine
that has been documenting botanical research, field reports, and conservation efforts under that name for nearly 50 years.
Photo: SPD
Beyond launching the challenge on iNaturalist, Richard maintained a regular progress journal. Last week, he offered this encouraging rallying cry:
“Tell your readers not to stop! Get out and document columbines in August and even September. June and July were record-breaking months. If 125 observations are recorded in August, it too will be a record month. Just 12 more in September sets yet another milestone! Only mule deer have ever had over 3,000 observations uploaded in a single year across Colorado. We can still make blue columbine the single most documented species of the year. Let’s go!”
Every observation counts—let’s keep exploring, uploading, and celebrating the power of community science right through the final blooms and then the seed-bearing follicles. We can do it!
Sue Dingwell
50th Anniversary Committee
Read more:
Aquilegia Magazine 2013-2026
Aquilegia Magazine 1976-2012
https://www.inaturalist.org
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/the-colorado-columbine-challenge
Columbine Challenge Press Release
Aquilegia coerulea