In Colombia, the genus polylepis is is represented by P. quadrijuga, P. sericea and P. incana. Modelling the potential geographical distribution makes it possible to identify areas relevant for the conservation of focal species. The objectives of this work were to establish the potential range of the three species and to identify conservation opportunities in protected areas at national, regional and local level. To this end, 223 biological records (GBIF and SIB Colombia) were collected which, together with 23 environmental variables, were the inputs to model the potential distribution in MaxEnt 3.3.3k. As conservation opportunities, the presence of SINAP-Colombia reserves in the potential range of species was quantified. The main contributing variables in the models are altitude, seasonal temperature and average monthly temperature range, among others. P. sericea presented the largest potential range, with 23 243.5 km² in the three mountain ranges; it was followed by P. quadrijuga, with 6 264.2 km² in the Eastern Cordillera and P. incana, with 1 772.8 km² in the Central Cordillera and the border with Ecuador. Some of these potential distributions are located in at least one type of protected area. P. incana has 59.5 % of the potential range within a protection figure, P. quadrijuga has 44.8 % potential distribution area located within any type of protection and P. Sericea, having a higher potential area based on modelling, has a lower percentage of representativeness (33.7 %) in protected areas of SINAP. Finally, on the basis of the analysis of threats and opportunities, key areas for the conservation of polylepis and areas for the search for potential unreported populations are proposed. https://doi.org/10.25260/EA.18.28.1.1.585