Hello,

thank you for your question.

Unfortunately the Lantern Tree is not at all a specimen for our cold winters.

I attached a list of shrubs and trees for your area (above 6500ft elevation). Deciduous trees grow best with 6 plus hours of full sun.

I would discourage you to plant fast growing trees like a cottonwood or willow close to a garage/house. The wood will be brittle. Winds could possible lead to a limb breaking.  Having a tree branch break next to a structure could do a lot of damage. 

Check into Serviceberry, which could be a small tree or large shrub that provides white flowers in spring. Lots of the varieties could do well for your situation. There are also lots of crabapples that tolerate our weather, but lots of times late spring frosts could damage buds and prevent blooming. Crabapples have a tendency for blight disease. Lilacs seem to really flourish in our climate. But I'm sure you will find lots of options browsing the following links.

Deer are unpredictable and will browse even "deer resistant" vegetation if hungry. Spraying with a repellant or adding a repellant granular to the soil might help.

Trees and Shrubs for Mountain Areas - 7.423 - Extension (colostate.edu)

https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/large-deciduous-trees-7-419/#:~:text=Description%20of%20Tre

Small Deciduous Trees - 7.418 - Extension (colostate.edu)

I hope these links will help you to make a decision. They will list elevation and water needs as well as growth patterns and sizes.

Thank you

Heike W.



You are welcome.

I hope that you will find a tree/shrub that will work for your location.