These fragile remnants symbolize the delicate balance the new park chiefs seek between open space s ecological needs, historical use by ranchers, and budgetary and political concerns. Boulder s stands of tallgrass prairie are remnants of the expanse of shoulder-high grass that once covered much of the west. Rocky soil washed down from the mountains retains enough moisture to support the dominant species of the tallgrass, which do not otherwise exist in regions this dry. Tallgrass prairie is home to many songbirds and several endangered species. Today the few patches remaining along the Front Range are besieged by development, climate change, invasive weeds, heavy use by hikers and cyclists, and loss of traditional elements of the prairie ecosystem.
Fire is a major missing link in the life cycle of tallgrass prairie.
The grass species that make up the tallgrass are especially well adapted to hot and dry conditions. But over time, the buildup of grass litter shades the growing shoots and costs the grasses their competitive edge against more shade-tolerant plants. Fire burns off the mat of dead material and allows new grasses to sprout. Traditionally, fire swept through this area every 7 to 12 years, according to Tim Seastedt, a prairie ecologist at the University of Colorado. But when settlers moved in and began to suppress fires, the prairie didn t get the frequent cleanup it needs to stay healthy.