Feds set aside 50,635 acres to protect endangered Colorado flowers

Federal authorities have designated 50,635 acres in western Colorado as critical habitat for three rare wildflowers threatened by energy development and residential construction.

The designation, one of the largest in the Rocky Mountain region for the benefit of flowers, riled some energy industry leaders.

Establishing safe habitat, combined with voluntary industry preservation work, "will help ensure that these three native plants recover and remain part of the Rocky Mountains' flora for generations of Americans to appreciate," U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regional director Steve Guertin said.