Their closest genetic relative is Boloria improba harryi which has only been found within the Wind River Mountains in Wyoming.

[6] The habitat characteristics of these butterflies include alpine tundra environments above tree-line (3800-4200m above sea level) that are northeast facing sloped meadows containing moderate amounts of moisture throughout the year, mostly from winter snowpack and rainfall during monsoon seasons.

[6]Female adult butterflies lay their eggs individually on snow willow stems and leaves around the middle of July and they don't hatch until numerous weeks later.

[8] As adult butterflies, the Uncompahgre fritillaries are only in flight for a few weeks during the summer season, emerging following the snow melt at these high elevation mountain peak.

Fish and Wildlife Service and the recovery plan prioritizes actions to better understand the reasons for their low population estimates and to prevent this species from extinction.

[6] The specialist habitat requirements and small distribution of the Uncompahgre fritillary butterfly make it a useful indicator of the future impacts of climate change could have on alpine ecosystem health and structure.