Thursday, April 9, 2026

Amid bark beetle outbreak, Forest Service will attempt to save high value trees

As the mountain pine beetle outbreak continues to intensify along Colorado’s Front Range, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service will begin targeted work this spring to protect large, high‑value trees in several popular campgrounds.

During past outbreaks, the Forest Service has successfully saved individual shade trees by applying protective pesticides early in the beetles’ migration season. This year, contractors will treat approximately 650 pine trees in the Kelly Dahl, Meeker Park, and Olive Ridge campgrounds on the Roosevelt National Forest. Forest Service entomologists identified these areas as especially vulnerable based on recent surveys of beetle movement.

Spraying will occur before the campgrounds open for the summer and could begin as early as April 9, depending on weather. Certified contractors will apply carbaryl to the trunks using high‑pressure equipment designed specifically for this purpose. Forest Service staff will be on site throughout operations to ensure safety and oversee contract work. Once underway, the spraying is expected to take about two days to complete.

Visitors to beetle‑impacted areas are reminded to use caution, particularly around standing dead trees and during periods of high wind. Falling hazard trees pose a significant safety concern in beetle impacted forests.



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