Governor Jared Polis has announced the formation of a new task force in response to a significant mountain pine beetle outbreak affecting Colorado’s Front Range. The announcement was made in Evergreen, where the governor was joined by forestry experts and local leaders. The task force will focus on strategies to protect forests, communities, water resources, and support Colorado’s outdoor recreation economy. It also aims to improve fire mitigation and emergency response.
“Colorado has long been a leader in forest health and fire mitigation efforts, and this is no exception. As the latest outbreak of pine beetles begins to take shape along the densely populated Front Range, we are taking an aggressive approach to boost tools and partnerships to help protect our communities, forests, and key water sources, and equipping homeowners with the resources they need to better protect their homes. I am grateful to our local partners, foresters, and leaders across sectors for helping us take action on this issue,” said Governor Polis.
The governor stated he would seek to extend tax incentives for wildfire mitigation and beetle-kill management, as well as pursue funding for outreach programs and research.
Congressman Joe Neguse expressed support for the initiative: “I’m grateful to Governor Polis for creating the Ponderosa Mountain Pine Beetle Task Force, and as the Ranking Member on the U.S. House Subcommittee on Federal Lands am grateful for the opportunity to work together to save Colorado’s treasured forests. Hotter and drier climates, along with the year-round threat of wildfires, have weakened our trees’ natural defenses — as we are now witnessing across the Front Range — and we must act decisively to manage and ameliorate the impacts of spiking pine beetle populations to improve forest health.”
Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen added: “In Colorado, our public lands are core to who we are, and protecting them is critical to our way of life. Mountain pine beetles have devastated millions of acres of forest across our state, increasing the risk of wildfires and threatening the health of our forests. I’m glad to see Governor Polis taking action to address this growing threat and protect our forests so future generations can continue to enjoy Colorado’s outdoor spaces for years to come.”
The task force will be co-chaired by Dan Gibbs (Executive Director of Colorado Department of Natural Resources), Matthew McCombs (Colorado State Forester), and Mike Morgan (Director of Division of Fire Prevention and Control). Its membership will include 20 organizations representing local governments, utilities, recreation industries, insurance sectors, housing groups, conservationists, timber industry representatives, emergency managers, federal agencies, philanthropic groups among others.
“This mountain pine beetle outbreak is emerging in one of the most heavily populated, heavily recreated regions of Colorado. This task force ensures we are coordinating action across agencies, landowners, industries, and communities to respond quickly and prepare for the long-term realities of changed ponderosa pine forests, addressing wildfire risk and watershed impacts facing the Front Range,” said Dan Gibbs.
Mike Morgan commented: “We have learned a lot in the past two decades about what to expect from mountain pine beetle outbreaks, and we will apply those lessons to this outbreak in the ponderosa pine. Our commitment is to address the full problem: treating the forests, building resilient communities, and ensuring our fire response is the best in the nation.”
To support these efforts further legislative actions will be recommended by Governor Polis aimed at reducing wildfire risk through tax incentives related to beetle-kill timber use; increased homeowner support; research into population management; collaboration with federal partners under Good Neighbor Authority; accelerated forest health projects; among other measures. Specifics will be included in his upcoming budget submission.
Aerial surveys conducted by both U.S. Forest Service and Colorado State Forest Service during 2025 show a growing infestation impacting ponderosa pines along major corridors such as U.S. 285 and I-70. Experts attribute this spread largely due to warmer weather patterns combined with drought conditions that have reduced tree resistance—factors expected into future years.
Officials stress that proactive measures are necessary not only for fire prevention but also maintaining insurance options within affected regions since dead timber can intensify fires or pose risks near populated areas.
Matthew McCombs stated: “Bark beetle outbreaks are not new to Colorado. We’ve been here before, and we know what works. This task force will strengthen partnerships and ensure science-based management guides our response in support of communities across the state. This is not a time to panic. It’s a time to ramp up and take action to reduce the impacts of this outbreak and ensure we never allow our forests to become this vulnerable ever again.”
Troy Heithecker from U.S. Forest Service added: “The Forest Service is committed to working collaboratively with our partners across Colorado to improve forest health conditions at the landscape level and reduce the impact of expanding mountain pine beetle populations.”
The task force’s priorities include cross-jurisdictional coordination; public education; protection strategies for watersheds/utilities; safeguarding recreation infrastructure; advancing reforestation diversity plans; strengthening wildfire detection/suppression innovation; evaluating timber markets especially regarding beetle-kill wood usage; exploring insurance adaptations related to shifting fire risk; identifying funding mechanisms including federal recommendations.
Colorado plans additional updates regarding appointments or opportunities for public engagement early next year.
