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Larimer County warned of expanding mountain pine beetle outbreak; state urges rapid, sustained action
Summary
State foresters told Larimer County commissioners on Jan. 21 that a growing mountain pine beetle outbreak is concentrated along the Front Range, with draft 2025 mapping showing thousands of acres affected. Officials urged rapid treatments, cross‑jurisdictional coordination and long‑term investment in reforestation and fuels‑reduction.
Larimer County commissioners on Jan. 21 heard state foresters and the state entomologist describe a mounting mountain pine beetle outbreak that is increasingly concentrated in low‑elevation ponderosa forests along the Colorado Front Range.
"We are a service outreach organization of Colorado State University," Colorado State Forest Service Director Matt McCombs told the county board, adding that the outbreak poses risks to watersheds, recreation, transportation corridors and other local infrastructure. McCombs said the governor has convened a multi‑partner task force to develop short‑ and long‑term recommendations and that initial task‑force deliverables are due in June, with staff meetings beginning as early as March 1.
Doctor West, Colorado’s state entomologist, presented aerial‑survey data and draft 2025 figures showing roughly 7,600 acres statewide that…
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