Arapahoe County, CO Tree Protection: Heritage & Protected Trees (2026)

Arapahoe County cities do not universally designate heritage or landmark trees with formal protective status, but informal protection and state-level programs exist. The Colorado Tree Coalition administers the Colorado Champion Tree Program which documents the largest specimens of each species statewide—several champion trees are located in Arapahoe County including older cottonwoods along the Cherry Creek corridor. Aurora City Code §94-350 grants the City Forester authority over public trees but does not establish a heritage designation for private trees. Cherry Hills Village Municipal Code §18-1 affords stronger protection to mature trees as character-defining features; removal of significant specimens over 8 inches DBH requires board approval. Centennial's development review includes tree preservation requirements for mature specimens identified during site planning. Plains Cottonwood (Populus deltoides) are particularly important riparian species along Cherry Creek and Highline Canal. Historic trees on the grounds of the Centennial House (Littleton Historical Museum) and Melvin School receive landmark preservation. Construction impacts on designated trees (root zone disturbance, trunk damage) trigger remediation requirements.