Not all bees live in hives. Not all bees are honey bees.
Meet the hidden pollinators shaping Colorado’s ecosystems—and learn how to protect them.

An Exhibit Born from Research and Action
Butterfly Pavilion and Colorado State University are excited to unveil Beyond the Hive: Discovering Colorado’s Bees, a groundbreaking new exhibit opening September 12, 2025 at Butterfly Pavilion in Westminster, Colorado. Developed through a research partnership between CSU’s Animal-Human Policy Center and Butterfly Pavilion, the exhibit addresses critical gaps in public understanding about native bees in Colorado.
While many people are familiar with honey bees, few realize that Colorado is home to more than 1,000 native bee species—many of which are under threat. Beyond the Hive uses interactive displays, live honey bee colonies, and science-based insights to inspire action and deepen appreciation for these essential pollinators.
In 2024, Butterfly Pavilion and Colorado State University conducted one of Colorado’s first in-depth studies exploring public understanding of native bees. What we discovered was eye-opening:
While honey bees are not native to Colorado, 57% of Butterfly Pavilion visitors identified them as such—highlighting a common misconception.
74% of visitors associated beekeeping with supporting native bees, though fewer are aware that honey bees can sometimes compete with native species for limited resources.
71% of Butterfly Pavilion visitors showed a strong appreciation for bees, and many expressed interest in taking action to support native species.

What You’ll Discover

Meet Colorado’s Native Bees: Interactive videos and stunning photography showcasing Colorado’s diverse native bee species, from the shimmering metallic green sweat bee to the solitary leafcutter, and their essential role in sustaining healthy ecosystems.
In the Lab: Learn how Butterfly Pavilion and CSU scientists identify native bees, monitor their populations, and investigate real causes of pollinator decline. Visitors can find out how to get involved and make a difference as community scientists.
Be a Bee Hero: Take the “Which Bee Are You?” quiz, test your pollinator smarts, and discover simple, research-based ways to support native bees—like planting native flowers, reducing pesticide use, and creating pollinator-friendly habitats in your yard, balcony, or even windowsill.
The Evolution of Beekeeping: An in-depth exploration featuring live honey bee colonies, tracing the evolution of human-honey bee relationships worldwide—and examining what these interactions mean for native bee populations.
Live Honey Bees: Step up close to see thriving honey bee colonies and learn how humans and honey bees have shaped each other’s stories over centuries.

Why It Matters

Pollinators, including bees, are invertebrates—animals without backbones—that make up more than 97% of all animal species. These unsung heroes are essential to life on Earth, helping plants reproduce and supporting the ecosystems and food systems we all depend on.
Colorado is home to over 1,000 native bee species, the vast majority of which are wild and solitary. These native bees, along with honey bees, are the backbone of pollination—a process essential for the reproduction of over 85% of flowering plants and more than two-thirds of the world’s food crops. Unlike other insects that pollinate by chance, bees are uniquely built for the job, collecting pollen to feed their young while ensuring plants produce fruit and seeds. This makes them our most effective pollinators, supporting not only agriculture but also the balance of entire ecosystems. In fact, pollination fuels food webs, with fruits and seeds from insect-pollinated plants providing a critical food source for roughly 25% of all birds and a wide range of mammals, from tiny rodents to grizzly bears.
However, native bees face serious challenges such as habitat loss, pesticide exposure, and climate change, leading to population declines.
Adding to these challenges are honey bees, which are not native to Colorado. While honey bees provide important agricultural pollination, they can compete with native bees for limited resources and sometimes spread disease. Because native bees are specially adapted to the local environment, protecting them is essential to keeping Colorado’s ecosystems healthy and thriving.
“We are all impacted by pollinators. None of us goes a day without relying on them for something, whether it’s our clean water, the food we eat, , or the landscapes we love,” said Amy Yarger, Senior Director of Horticulture at Butterfly Pavilion. “All of us can help make a difference, whether you contribute to a community science program, share your knowledge with neighbors, or simply plant a sunflower by your front door.”
For more than 30 years, Butterfly Pavilion has led pollinator conservation through research and education. This exhibit highlights how simple actions, like planting native flowers and reducing pesticide use, can help native bees thrive and preserve the ecosystems we all depend on.
Together, we can protect these vital pollinators and ensure a healthier planet for generations ahead.

Plan Your Visit

Beyond the Hive: Discovering Colorado’s Bees
Location: Butterfly Pavilion, 6252 W. 104th Avenue, Westminster, CO
Included with general admission

Join us and help protect Colorado’s wild pollinators.

In Partnership with: