Hi Max,

Great questions! 

The only bee to produce honey is the honey bee (Apis mellifera). We have over 1,000 other bee species in Colorado, but the vast majority are solitary bees meaning they don't live in a colony/hive, nor do they have a queen/workers. They also don't make honey. Learn more about bee lifecycles here (page 8-11). 

Honey bees are a non-native species to North America, and they are the only species that will swarm. It's not possible to catch a "native swarm." Any swarms found will be from a beekeeper's hive. If a beekeeper doesn't collect a swarm, the honey bees will eventually find a place to build a colony on their own. Occasionally, we see honey bees colonies in a hollowed out tree or other hollow/cavity nest site. These are considered "feral hives" but are still non-native honey bee colonies originating from a beekeeper. 

If you don't have beekeeping experience, I would suggest purchasing bees for your first year to increase the chance of success. Catching a swarm requires some skill, and since you don't know the overall health of those bees you're catching, you don't know how successful the swarm colony will be. Depending on when you catch the swarm, those bees will need to ramp up their population quickly in order to be strong enough to survive the winter. Higher elevations generally have less time for the population to build depending on the temperatures. A swarm may have even less time depending on when the swarm is caught. You may not be able to harvest honey the first year. A colony needs approximately 80 pounds of honey to survive the winter. Leaving the honey for the bees the first year can help ensure they don't starve.

Different varieties of honey bees are available. They are bred for different traits (e.g. Italians, Carniolans, Russians). The different varieties are still the same species of honey bee, Apis mellifera.

To get started with beekeeping, I recommend the following:

• Take a class and join a beekeeping club. There are a variety options in Colorado. If you are looking for online classes, CSU Extension has an option. I think the Butterfly Pavilion also has an online option. Beekeeping clubs are a nice option so you can ask questions and learn from other beekeepers. This can help a new beekeeper navigate some of the challenges. When you join a club, usually you have the option to "opt in" to be a swarm list. You'll receive a call when it's your turn to collect a swarm in your area. 
• Treat for mites. Varroa mites are the primary cause for colony losses. Make sure to do mite checks once per month during the season, and treat for mites. The Honey Bee Health Coalition has the best practices for doing mite checks and treatments. I personally use oxalic acid during the season, and formic acid strips in the fall.
• Consider also supporting native pollinators. Beekeeping can be very rewarding, but honey bees are not at risk of population decline since they are a managed, non-native species (just like any other livestock species). Consider planting more bee-friendly flowers and providing habitat spaces for the native bees and native pollinators. A variety of flowers will support honey bees and native bees. 
• In terms of a horizontal hive, here are some things to consider:
  • Beekeepers have different preferences among hives options. There a few different types of horizontal hives. Did you have a specific type you were considering?
  • Horizontal hives have less heavy lifting for the beekeeper. 
  • A horizontal hive that fits the classic Langstroth equipment may be a little easier to manage.
  • As a beginner, consider using frames that have a foundation. 
  • Horizontal hives may be more difficult to harvest honey. Since they don't have honey super frames, or a queen excluder, you may have brood on your honey frames. 
  • As a beginner, the traditional Langstroth hive may be an easier hive to start with. It's what most beekeepers use. Once you are comfortable with bee behavior, spotting problems with brood, diseases, etc., able to count/treat for mites, then it might be easier to experiment with other types of hives. 
  • In terms of surviving the winter at elevation, the healthier your bees are, the more likely they will survive the winter. The two biggest factors to survival: Ensuring they have enough food for the winter, and treating for mites. 
• Other free resources: 
  Integrated Hive Management for Colorado Beekeepers | CSU Guidebook
  Feeding Honeybees in Colorado | CSU Extension Factsheet
  Creating Pollinator Habitat | CSU Extension Factsheet

I know this was a lot of information, so please let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks,

Lisa Mason
Horticulture Specialist and Entomologist
Colorado State University Extension, Arapahoe County