Both of the basal leaves lack the leathery texture, smooth surface, or hairs of some other Penstemon species.

The edges of the leave are simple, without teeth, and the ends come to a blunt point that can be obtuse or acute in angle.

The staminode is 13–16 mm long, reaching the opening of the flower or slightly beyond, with a recurved tip covered in dense orange hairs.

[2] He recognized that specimens collected by Edwin P. James during the 1820 Long expedition were not the same as the ones then named as Penstemon jamesii.

[6] They grow on the plains of eastern Colorado and northern New Mexico in dry, sandy, sandy-loam, or gravely soils.

[4][7] The Colorado penstemon has a reputation for being fussy in cultivation, theorized to be due to having precise soil texture and pH requirements, though they are also well regarded for their handsome blooms.

[8] In the average European climate, it is most successfully grown in a hothouse to protect it from excessive moisture.