Larimer County warned of expanding mountain pine beetle outbreak; state urges rapid, sustained action

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 flagged mountain pine beetle activity, with the bulk of recent activity along the Front Range. "It's already baked in right now," West said when describing how trees infested in the prior season are progressing toward visible mortality. He explained beetle biology: females create galleries and can lay roughly "50 and a 100 eggs," and, "you got about 1 year until the tree... completely red," meaning infested trees typically show mortality within about a year from attack.

West and McCombs emphasized uncertainty in spread projections. West noted typical beetle flight tends to be within about a half‑mile annually but cited research showing beetles can travel up to 1.5 miles in some conditions, widening the potential reach across Front Range ponderosa stands. Officials also reported a recent observed trend of roughly 2,000 acres per year statewide over the past three years, but said biological spread rates remain difficult to predict.

State leaders urged immediate, focused response where human infrastructure and life are at risk and longer‑term changes in forest stewardship. "We need to respond and respond aggressively to protect critical infrastructure, to protect life and property," McCombs said, while also arguing communities must adopt repeated, science‑based management to create age‑class and species diversity. McCombs described preliminary finance math from statewide planning: on the order of about $200 million per year for decades to steward the most imperiled watersheds — a preliminary estimate meant to illustrate scale, not a fixed budget.

Reforestation capacity was raised as part of the response. McCombs said a renovated state nursery at Colorado State University's Foothills Campus is being expanded with legislative and U.S. Forest Service support; he said past capacity was about 500,000–600,000 seedlings annually and the renovated facility aims to produce roughly 2–3 million seedlings per year when fully operational in mid‑year.

County officials asked for practical tools and maps. McCombs directed residents to livewildfireready.org for homeowner and community guidance and said the state is assembling maps that show where infested "hot logs" may be accepted and treated; he warned that moving untreated infested material can spread beetles. The county and state agreed to provide slides and local maps to commissioners and to continue engagement across field offices.

The session concluded with a reminder of a public meeting later that day at Essence Park and a pledge from state staff to follow up with hot‑log locations and presentation materials. The work session adjourned at 2:30 p.m.