'Epidemic' Destroying Colorado Forests

Within five years the federal and state forestry official warns that the lodgepole pine trees in northern Colorado and the Front Range will be completely wiped out. The reason for these is an unprecedented infestation by mountain pine beetles.

Since the infestation started in 1996, more than one million acres of the state's high-latitude forests had been destroyed - half a million acres was destroyed just last year. The affected counties are Boulder, Larimer, Gilpin, Chaffee, Clear Creek and Lake.

These finding were based on recent aerial surveys revealed by the U.S. Forest Service in the region during a press conference in Golden in January this year.

Even Susan Gray, an official from the agency was surprised at the infestation. She was quoted by the Dailycamera.com as saying, "It was very uncharacteristic for the mountain pine beetle to go that high up in elevation."

Unfortunately, she added that the beetles cannot be stopped because the infested area is massive and even the winter hasn't been "cold enough for long enough" to kill the beetles.

According to the Associate Press, Entimologist Ingrid Aguayo from Colorado State Forest Service said the lodgepole forest is regenerating and its destruction is actually the beginning of the natural process. But Aguayo said the completion of regeneration will take up to 50 years after the bark beetle infestation.

In light of these events the Colorado State University Alumni Association will be holding a special presentation regarding the mountain pine beetles infestation:

Thursday, June 5
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
(Networking: 11:30-12:00, Luncheon/Program: 12:00-1:00)
Hilton Fort Collins
425 W. Prospect

$25 - CSUAA Members
$30 - Nonmembers

Register online
or call (970) 491-6533
by Friday, May 30th