Governor Jared Polis and the Colorado Department of Natural Resources have announced the members of a new Ponderosa Mountain Pine Beetle Task Force. The task force was established by executive action to address a growing outbreak of mountain pine beetles in ponderosa pine forests along Colorado’s Front Range.
According to Governor Polis, “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.”
Aerial surveys conducted in 2025 by the USDA Forest Service and Colorado State Forest Service indicate that mountain pine beetle activity is increasing in ponderosa pine forests across the Front Range. Dead trees caused by beetles are now visible along major highways such as U.S. 285 and I-70. Warmer temperatures and persistent drought conditions have contributed to an environment favorable for bark beetle outbreaks, which are expected to continue over the next decade.
The task force will develop coordinated, science-based strategies aimed at protecting communities, forests, water resources, infrastructure, and outdoor recreation throughout Colorado over the next ten years.
Dan Gibbs, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, stated: “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. 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 pose increased risks for firefighters, recreationists, utility providers, transportation corridors, and can change wildfire behavior under certain circumstances. These concerns are especially significant in areas where forests meet homes or critical infrastructure in foothill communities already facing high wildfire risk.
The task force will be led by Dan Gibbs; Mike Morgan (Director of the Division of Fire Prevention and Control); and Matt McCombs (State Forester/Director of Colorado State Forest Service). The group may add ex-officio members or seek input from subject matter experts as needed.
Members appointed include state legislators Senator Mark Baisley (Littleton) and Representative Lesley Smith (Boulder), as well as representatives from federal agencies like USDA Forest Service Regional Forester Troy Heithecker (Lakewood) and U.S. Bureau of Land Management State Director Douglas Vilsack (Lakewood). Other appointees represent county governments; fire protection districts; utilities such as Xcel Energy; organizations focused on timber industry interests; conservation groups like The Nature Conservancy; ranchers; emergency management officials; foundations; watershed scientists; among others.
Ex-officio members include representatives from each member office within Colorado’s federal delegation as well as individuals representing climate preparedness efforts, wildlife coordination roles within Parks & Wildlife departments, tribal leadership from Southern Ute Indian Tribe Chairman Melvin J. Baker, agriculture specialists from Palisade Insectary at Department of Agriculture (Dan Bean), insurance commissioners (Michael Conway), resiliency program managers within local affairs offices (Shayle Sabo), watershed program directors for Water Conservation Board (Chris Sturm), hazard mitigation officers within public health departments (Mark Thompson), entomologists with State Forest Service (Dan West), tourism directors (Tim Wolfe), forest restoration institute leaders (Brett Wolk), among others.
The group plans to coordinate urgent short-term measures alongside long-term strategies related to fuel mitigation efforts around communities (source), public education campaigns about beetle impacts (source), protection planning for watersheds/utilities/infrastructure (source), reforestation initiatives after tree loss events (source), innovations around wildfire response tactics (source), market development for affected timber products (source), insurance considerations specific to changing risk environments (source), identification/development of new funding mechanisms (source).
Colorado’s strategy draws on lessons learned from previous bark beetle infestations as well as experience managing catastrophic wildfires while investing in forest health programs focused on resilience for both watersheds and communities statewide.
Additional appointments are expected later this year. More information about upcoming meetings or opportunities for public engagement will be released in early 2026.
