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This species is known from a few locations all within close proximity in the Cauca Department, on the western slope of the central Andes, Totoro-Malvasa, in Colombia, between 2,820 and 3,250m asl.

One recent survey found no individuals, although another survey in 2004 did record several individuals. It is not known to what extent the species is in overall decline.

It occurs along streams on vegetation in páramo, and has not been recorded from disturbed habitat. Breeding and larval development takes place in streams.

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The most serious risk to this species is chytridiomycosis, which has had a devastating impact on other high-altitude species of Atelopus. Other, localized threats include habitat loss caused by agricultural expansion (cattle ranching and the planting of illegal crops), water extraction, and fumigation of illegal crops. Climate change might also be impacting the species.

• 2.1.2 Small-holder farming
• 11.5 Other impacts
• 8.1.2 Named species
• 7.1.3 Trend Unknown/Unrecorded
• 9.3.4 Type Unknown/Unrecorded
• 2.3.3 Agro-industry grazing, ranching or farming

It occurs in the Parque Nacional Natural Puracé. More research into the species' range, ecological requirements, and population status is needed, and in particular surveys are needed to determine whether or not the species is currently in decline as has been evidenced in other high-elevation stream-dwelling Atelopus species in the region. A captive-breeding programme might need to be established for this species.

• 3.4.1 Captive breeding/artificial propagation
• 1.2 Resource & habitat protection

Listed as Critically Endangered because of a projected population decline, estimated to be more than 80% over the next ten years, inferred from declines in other high altitude Atelopus species in the same region, probably due to chytridiomycosis.

• Acosta-Galvis, A.R. 2000. Ranas, Salamandras y Caecilias (Tetrapoda: Amphibia) de Colombia. Biota Colombiana: 289-319.
• Ardila-Robayo, M.C. and Acosta-Galvis, A. 2000. Anfibios III. In: Rangel (ed.), Colombia Diversidad biótica de la región de vida paramuna, pp. 902. Bogotá, Colombia.
• La Marca, E., Lips, K.R., Lötters, S., Puschendorf, R., Ibáñez, R., Rueda-Almonacid, J.V., Schulte, R., Marty, C., Castro, F., Manzanilla-Puppo, J., Garcia-Perez, J.E., Toral, E., Bolaños, F., Chaves, G., Pounds, J.A. and Young, B. 2005. Catastrophic population declines and extinctions in Neotropical harlequin frogs (Bufonidae: Atelopus). Biotropica: 190-201.
• Lötters, S. 1996. The Neotropical Toad Genus Atelopus. Checklist - Biology - Distribution. Vences, M. and Glaw, F. Verlags GbR, Köln, Germany.
• Pounds, J.A., Bustamante, M.R., Coloma, L.A., Consuegra, J.A., Fogden, M.P.L., Foster, P.N., La Marca, E., Masters, K.L., Merino-Viteri, A., Puschendorf, R., Ron, S.R., Sánchez-Azofeifa, G.A., Still, C.J. and Young, B.E. 2006. Widespread amphibian extinctions from epidemic disease driven by global warming. Nature 439: 161-167.
• Rivero, J.A. and Granados-Diaz, H.G. 1993. Nuevo especie de Atelopus (Amphibia Bufonidae) del Departamento del Cauca, Colombia. Caribbean Journal of Science: 12-17.
• Ruiz-Carranza, P.M., Ardila-Robayo, M.C. and Lynch, J.D. 1996. Lista actualizada de la fauna de Amphibia de Colombia. Revista de la Academia Colombiana de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales 20(77): 365-415.