Colorado Firefly Watch
Did you know that Colorado has native fireflies? Most people are unaware of this due to light pollution and development destroying their habitat. Learn about Butterfly Pavilion's initiative to conserve these small yet mighty animals and how you can do your part!
Butterfly Pavilion’s Firefly Lifecycle Project
To conserve fireflies, Butterfly Pavilion is studying how to breed and raise fireflies under human care. Learn more about fireflies, Butterfly Pavilion’s Firefly Lifecycle Project, and how you can get involved in your own community! Check out this video to experience our most recent collection in Fort Collins!
Butterfly Pavilion is committed to making fireflies a part of every Coloradan experience, and our goal is to have fireflies in our new facility when it opens in 2027. You can play a role in the conservation of fireflies by reducing light pollution stress that affects fireflies and other nocturnal animals.
Learn More!
Public Locations for Firefly Viewing
Some parks are not open late enough for visitors to see fireflies during public hours, however, they may host guided walks to view fireflies after hours. Please respect the posted hours of all parks.
Riverbend Ponds Natural Area in Fort Collins, CO
- Open until 11 pm
- Fireflies flash along the boardwalk in the northeastern side of the natural area
- Fort Collins Natural Area volunteers lead guided firefly walks in June and July
Morey Wildlife Reserve in Loveland, CO
- Open from dawn to dusk
- The City of Loveland hosts Fireflies in the Meadows walks in June and July
- Bicycles and dogs are prohibited
Sawhill Ponds Open Space, Boulder, CO
- Open until 11 pm
- Fireflies have been spotted on the south side of the open space near the railroad tracks
Fountain Creek Regional Park in Fountain, CO
- Open until 9 pm
- The Fountain Creek Nature Center offers firefly hikes in June and July
Filoha Meadows Nature Preserve in Redstone, CO
- No access in the evenings
- Roaring Fork Conservancy leads guided firefly walks in July
Chatfield State Park, Littleton, CO
- Open until 10 pm
- Firefly walks are sometimes hosted by the Denver Audubon Society Nature Center
Become a Community Scientist!
There is a lack of scientific research about fireflies, so we need your help! Become a community scientist and help Butterfly Pavilion track firefly populations around Colorado. Download and print out this datasheet and take it out into the field with you to collect sighting information.
Download data sheet
Become a Community Scientist!
Conservation is in your hands! Be a scientist and volunteer to help monitor butterflies, or restore urban prairies to save the tiny giants around the globe!
Learn More!