Pine beetle task force recommends potential solutions to Front Range outbreak

The state task force convened by Gov. Jared Polis to address the outbreak of a destructive beetle released a draft list of recommendations Tuesday. The Ponderosa Mountain Pine Beetle Task Force was launched in December 2025 to come up with solutions to slow the spread of the mountain pine beetle, which is decimating ponderosa forests across the Front Range. The group, which includes dozens of people from different state agencies, universities and conservation groups, has been meeting since February, and is facing a fast-approaching deadline to make recommendations in time for next year’s legislative session.

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Scoop News DeskColorado · Published Tuesday, September 22, 2026 at 11:01 PM UTCUpdated Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at 12:06 AM UTC

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It’s housed on a federal interface and could be deleted at any time . “If you want science and research you need data,” said Brett Wolk, the associate director of the Colorado Forest Restoration Institute. “We just want to make sure the data is there.” Issues with federal staffing, certified pilots and budgets led to a smaller coverage area in 2025, according to the task force documents. 1 dead — by beetles