DENVER -- Researchers in Germany may have found the cause of disappearing honeybees -- a worldwide problem that has also hit Colorado beekeepers hard.

The researchers are trying to determine what causes the collapse of colonies -- called colony collapse disorder. Beekeepers have found many of their bees disappearing and the hives collapsing.

One beekeeper from the San Luis Valley reported he started the winter with 6,000 beehives and emerged with only 1,000. Other Colorado beekeepers have reported similar loses.

A mysterious malady that is causing honeybees to disappear en masse from their hives in parts of North America and Europe may be linked to radiation from cellphones and other high-tech communications devices, a study by German researchers suggests.

While the theory has created a lot of buzz in the beekeeping world, apiarists say there could be any number of reasons why the bees are deserting their hives and presumably dying off in large numbers, including changing weather patterns and mite or other kinds of infestations.