Sunlight is more intense in Colorado than in most other regions of the nation.
Newer home developments here often need more shade to keep the homes cooler in the summer. In an older neighborhood, the situation may be reversed, with excessive shade from mature trees. Mature trees may cast dense shade, affecting the growth and appearance of sun-loving plants below them. Large trees, in addition to the shade they cast, compete with smaller plants for water and nutrients. Shade can vary in degrees from part, filtered to dense shade.