Pagosa skyrocket is a non-woody, or herbaceous, plant species in the phlox family. Pagosa skyrocket can be seen in bloom in June and July, and grows as a rosette for one to many years, until conditions are right to flower and reproduce.

Pagosa skyrocket is only found in two populations in and near the town of Pagosa Springs, at an elevation of 6,800 to 7,300 feet. The plant can be found on gray soils that are derived from Mancos shale in open grasslands and grassland understories, at the edges of open forests. The species has adapted to grow on these shale soils, which are very dry and erosive. This makes the conditions harsh and difficult for most other plant species to survive.

Due to development impacts, remaining Pagosa skyrocket habitat is often found adjacent to roads, in dry ditches, among buildings and in some pastures. The primary threat to Pagosa skyrocket is land use changes, including commercial, residential, municipal and agricultural property development, as well as associated utility installations and access roads. In addition, non-native invasive plants, concentrated livestock use and the potential effects of climate change climate change
Climate change includes both global warming driven by human-induced emissions of greenhouse gases and the resulting large-scale shifts in weather patterns. Though there have been previous periods of climatic change, since the mid-20th century humans have had an unprecedented impact on Earth's climate system and caused change on a global scale.

Learn more about climate change may impact the species. Because of its extremely limited distribution, the species is vulnerable to habitat modification and changes in the environment. Pagosa skyrocket also relies on insect pollinators to reproduce. The loss of pollinators and pollinator habitat is considered a threat to this species.