No.
Columbines are legal to pick — but only under certain conditions. The state has protected the white and lavender flower with teardrop petals since 1925, when lawmakers made it illegal to uproot Aquilegia caerulea, the flower’s scientific name, on all state-controlled lands including parks.
The gathering or picking of up to 25 Columbine stems, buds or blossoms a day, however, is permitted. Columbines can be picked without restrictions on private land, but state law requires obtaining permission first.
All wildflowers are illegal to pick at all national parks.
The Colorado General Assembly adopted Columbines as the state flower in 1899 after school children picked it in a statewide contest.
While picking them is legal, state parks and wildlife officials have stated that picking wildflowers damages the ecosystem, and they urge hikers to “look, but don’t touch.”
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
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