The 23,000 acre Fraser Experimental Forest was established in 1937 as a representative site for conducting studies in the alpine/subalpine environment of the central Rockies. It is located on the Sulfur District, Arapaho National Forest, approximately 70 miles west of Denver, on the west side of the continental divide. Most early research was oriented toward timber or water production resulting from forest management. Biogeochemical studies began in the 1960's, were restarted in the 70's, and have been continuous since 1982. Much of this work is done in cooperation with the National Park Service.