Eleutherodactylus rufescens is widespread on the slopes of Nevado de Colima. During the rainy season it is also numerous. The major threat to this species is the eruption of the Volcán de Colima. The species' range includes the Volcan Nevado de Colima National Park. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed this species as Vulnerable; several records extending its known range to east and south have been published after the assessment.