Metallic Green Sweat Bee (Agapostemon) in a magenta Penstemon (AKA Beardtongue). 

Both Green Metallic Sweat Bees- of which the Fine-Lined Sweat Bee is a part of- and Penstemon flowers are native to Colorado. In fact, both species are only native to North America. Penstemons can grow anywhere from the plains to above the tree line, and come in a wide range of colors and sizes. They’re also a desert-dwelling plant, planting their roots in scarcely-watered sand. Metallic Sweat Bees also nest underground in the sand, and are known to take naps within the waterproof shelter of the Penstemon’s pedals. 

References:

https://www.botanicgardens.org/blog/beautiful-and-diverse-penstemon. 

https://bugswithmike.com/guide/arthropoda/hexapoda/insecta/hymenoptera/halictidae/halictinae/halictini/agapostemon/coloradinus. 

Taken 6-19-2024