Governor Jared Polis and the Colorado Department of Natural Resources have announced the formation of the Ponderosa Mountain Pine Beetle Task Force. This new group was established by executive action to address a growing outbreak of mountain pine beetles affecting ponderosa pine forests along Colorado’s Front Range.
“Colorado is at the forefront of reducing the impact of wildfires, floods, and protecting Colorado communities. By assembling our team of forestry experts and state and local officials we are taking action to deal with the impact of mountain pine beetles and helping to protect our forest and key water sources, and equipping homeowners to better protect their homes,” said Governor Polis.
Recent aerial surveys by the USDA Forest Service and Colorado State Forest Service in 2025 show that mountain pine beetle activity is increasing in ponderosa pine forests throughout the Front Range. Dead trees caused by beetle infestations are now visible along major corridors such as U.S. 285 and I-70. Experts attribute this trend to warmer temperatures and ongoing drought, which have created favorable conditions for bark beetle outbreaks. These trends are expected to continue into the next decade.
The task force’s mission is to develop coordinated, science-based strategies aimed at protecting communities, forests, water resources, infrastructure, and Colorado’s outdoor recreation economy over the next ten years.
“The State of Colorado, including the Department of Natural Resources, Colorado State Forest Service and the Division of Fire Prevention and Control has heard the Governor’s clear call that the time is now to take action on our emerging mountain pine beetle outbreak along Colorado’s Front Range,” said Dan Gibbs, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. “We have assembled a diverse array of elected officials, federal state and local representatives and ex-officio member expertise for this Task Force to move together in a coordinated effort across landownership and political boundaries to bring forth the necessary recommendations and actions for healthy forests and communities.”
Beetle-killed trees create additional risks for firefighters, recreationists, utility providers, transportation corridors, and can intensify wildfire behavior under certain conditions. These risks are particularly concerning in foothill communities where forests meet homes and critical infrastructure.
The task force will be co-chaired by Dan Gibbs; Mike Morgan, Director of the Division of Fire Prevention and Control; and Matt McCombs, State Forester and Director of the Colorado State Forest Service. The group may also include ex-officio members or seek input from subject matter experts as needed.
Appointments include state legislators Senator Mark Baisley (Littleton) and Representative Lesley Smith (Boulder), as well as representatives from federal agencies such as Troy Heithecker (USDA Forest Service) and Douglas Vilsack (U.S. Bureau of Land Management). Local government officials from Jefferson County, Larimer County, Teller County, emergency management leaders, utility providers like Xcel Energy, conservation organizations such as The Nature Conservancy Colorado, industry representatives from timber associations, foundation leaders from Gates Family Foundation, ranchers from Lehi Ranch, among others were also named.
Ex-officio members represent various sectors including federal delegation offices for Representatives Jeff Crank, Joe Neguse, Brittney Petterson; Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper; climate preparedness; wildlife habitat coordination; tribal leadership; agriculture; insurance; service organizations; resiliency programs; watershed management; hazard mitigation; forest entomology; tourism; forest restoration institutes.
The task force plans to work with partners across all levels—statewide agencies, local governments, private entities—and nonprofit organizations on strategies such as fuel mitigation efforts for wildfire prevention [https://csfs.colostate.edu/forest-management/common-forest-insects-diseases/mountain-pine-beetle/], public education campaigns [https://www.jeffco.us/2507/Mountain-Pine-Beetle], watershed protection measures [https://dnr.colorado.gov/projects-and-programs/ponderosa-mountain-pine-beetle-task-force], reforestation planning initiatives [https://dnr.colorado.gov/projects-and-programs/ponderosa-mountain-pine-beetle-task-force], innovation in wildfire response [https://dnr.colorado.gov/projects-and-programs/ponderosa-mountain-pine-beetle-task-force], timber market development [https://dnr.colorado.gov/projects-and-programs/ponderosa-mountain-pine-beetle-task-force], insurance considerations [https://dnr.colorado.gov/projects-and-programs/ponderosa-mountain-pine-beetle-task-force], as well as identifying new funding opportunities [https://dnr.colorado.gov/projects-and-programs/ponderosa-mountain-pine-beetle-task-force].
Colorado’s strategy builds on lessons learned from previous bark beetle outbreaks as well as experience gained responding to large wildfires while investing in forest health programs. More appointments are expected soon. Additional information about meetings—including timelines for public engagement—will be released in early 2026.
For more details about mountain pine beetles or available resources:
– Visit the Colorado State Forest Service website
– Jefferson County residents can visit the county’s resource page
– Learn more about task force activities at the Department of Natural Resources’ page
