Chris Stubbs, forest supervisor for the Arapahoe and Roosevelt National Forest and the Pawnee National Grassland, told Larimer County commissioners on Sept. 9 that the national forests in the county draw heavy recreation use and that preventing catastrophic wildfires will require increased thinning and prescribed fire alongside local partnerships.

Stubbs said the Arapahoe-Roosevelt-Pawnee unit draws about 5 million recreation visits annually and generates roughly $180,000,000 in visitor spending that benefits Larimer County businesses. “Our national forests are America’s backyard,” he said. “We get 5,000,000 annual recreation visits.”

Why it matters: Stubbs framed forests as an economic as well as ecological asset and warned that a warming climate, denser fuels and expanding development in the wildland-urban interface heighten wildfire risk. He said past suppression policies and beetle kill have increased fuel loads and that mechanical thinning and prescribed burns are necessary tools.

The supervisor said his unit continues recovery work from the Cameron Peak and East Troublesome fires, including replanting and watershed restoration, and described campground rebuilding work at Jack’s Gulch in Larimer County. He said federal funding is constrained: “Money’s not falling out of the sky for the Forest Service right now,” and that the agency is seeking creative funding approaches at the local level.

During a question-and-answer period, commissioners raised safety and enforcement concerns. Commissioner Cavallos asked whether Stubbs was aware of repeated unauthorized gatherings and off-highway vehicle activity north of Cherokee Park Road and noted reported campfires during Stage 1 fire restrictions. Stubbs said he had not been briefed on that specific location and would “chat with Brian” — referring to the Canyon Lakes district ranger — to follow up. He also reminded the public that campfires during fire restrictions can result in a roughly $250 citation and that escaped fires can create million-dollar liabilities for individuals.

Commissioners and staff discussed local partnerships. Stubbs said he participates in the Northern Colorado Fireshed Collaborative and values county-level cooperation. Commissioners noted a Sept. 25 Red Feather Lakes community conversation where the Forest Service public information officer (Reagan) will provide updates on recreational shooting and other issues. Stubbs confirmed he will follow up on enforcement reports and offered to remain accessible to county leaders: “You can pick up the phone or call me,” he said.

Several commissioners asked about a reported USDA plan to consolidate research stations in Fort Collins; Stubbs said he had only the same limited information as county officials and expected to learn more as the department finalizes plans. Commissioners also urged continued coordination on forest health work, woody-biomass pilots and outreach to Colorado State University and other partners.

The exchange closed with commissioners praising existing Forest Service partnerships and thanking Stubbs for attending the meeting. No formal county action or vote was taken on the issues discussed.