Facing the Pine Beetle—With Urgency, Responsibility, and Hope

Over the winter, we noticed something subtle, but concerning. A few more ponderosa pines than usual had turned brown. It wasn’t entirely unexpected. Over the past several years, drought conditions have stressed our forests, and some level of tree mortality has become part of that reality.

But this spring, that concern became something more. What we are now seeing in the Backcountry Wilderness Area is not isolated decline, it is the beginning of a pine beetle outbreak. In a matter of weeks, we identified more than 300 dead or dying trees, with clear signs of infestation. And with that came a hard truth: doing nothing was not an option.

Mountain pine beetles are a native part of Colorado’s forests, but under the right conditions: drought, warmer temperatures, and dense stands, they can expand rapidly. Their life cycle brings urgency. By June 1, adult beetles will emerge from infested trees and fly to new hosts. If left unchecked, those 300 trees could quickly become 1,000 infected trees this summer, and several thousand more the following year.

CAPTION: A small portion of our ponderosa pines. In the first picture from the fall of 2025 (left), there are no visible dead or dying trees, but by this spring (right photo), several dead trees are visible. A pattern that repeats itself throughout the property, with more than 300 dead or dying trees currently.

This is not just a Backcountry Wilderness Area issue. What we are experiencing is part of a much larger outbreak emerging across the entire Front Range, from Fort Collins to Colorado Springs. Current projections suggest that, if drought and climate conditions persist, the Front Range could lose 60-80% of its ponderosa pines over the coming years. Some projections have been even more severe. What once felt like a mountain issue is now moving into the foothills and urban corridor forests along the Front Range. The seriousness of the threat prompted the State of Colorado to establish a Front Range Pine Beetle Task Force this winter.

Our ponderosa pine forests are also far more than scenery; they are critical wildlife habitat. Elk and deer depend on these forests for shelter during both summer heat and winter storms. Wild turkeys roost high in the mature branches. Countless species of birds, small mammals, insects, and other wildlife rely on these forests for food, cover, nesting, and protection. These trees form the ecological backbone of the Backcountry Wilderness Area. Losing large portions of this forest would not only change the landscape's appearance but would also fundamentally impact the wildlife and natural systems that depend on it. Protecting and strengthening these forests is not just about saving trees; it is about preserving habitat and ecological health for generations to come.

As one of the largest privately managed conservation landscapes along Colorado’s Front Range, we carry a responsibility that comes with stewardship of this landscape. A responsibility to the land. To the forest. To the wildlife that depends on it. To our neighbors. And to the broader public that values and shares in this place.  We acted quickly.

We consulted with experts at the Colorado State Forest Service, local arborists, and the Douglas County Office of Emergency Management. Our course of action was informed, not improvised. Based on that guidance, we moved immediately to disrupt the beetle lifecycle before June 1.

CAPTION: Photos from the Backcountry Wilderness Area documenting signs of mountain pine beetle infestation, including adult beetles, larvae beneath the bark, pitch tubes, woodpecker activity, and tunneling galleries inside infected ponderosa pines. As part of our response effort, staff closely inspected hundreds of dead and dying trees to determine whether infestations were still active and required removal, or whether beetles had already emerged last season and the trees could remain as habitat. These evaluations are helping guide a science-based management approach focused on slowing the outbreak while preserving ecological value where possible.

We issued a Request for Proposal, hosted multiple site visits, received competitive bids, and selected a local forestry contractor to complete removal of approximately 300–400 infested trees within the critical timeline.

At the same time, our staff established a long-term monitoring program. Every affected tree is in the process of being individually marked, mapped, and recorded, allowing us to track the outbreak and measure our response in the months and years ahead.

The Hard Part

Many of the trees we are removing are not small or insignificant. They are mature ponderosas, often more than 100 years old, many 200 years or older. These are the trees that define the character of the Backcountry Wilderness Area, trees with trunks wider than a person’s wingspan. These trees stood through generations of change.

For our staff, walking the land and marking these trees has been emotional. There is no way around it, it feels like a loss.

There are scientific explanations for why these trees may be among the first to fall. Older trees can be more stressed, more vulnerable under prolonged drought. But during one of our site visits, an arborist shared a different perspective, one drawn from ecological research and writing.

In a forest, trees are not isolated. Their root systems are interconnected. They share resources. Communicate. Support one another.

In that context, the oldest trees, the “grandmother” and “grandfather” trees, may not simply be weaker. There is a theory that, in times of stress, they may give more than they take. That they may, in a sense, sacrifice for the health of the forest as a whole, supporting younger trees, increasing their chances of survival. Whether viewed scientifically or symbolically, it’s a powerful way to understand what we are seeing.

Why We Still Have Hope

This is not the end of our forest. But it is a transition. Projections suggest that the Front Range could lose 60-80% of its mature ponderosa pines in the coming years. That reality is sobering. But it is not the whole story.

We have reasons for hope:

• Over the past decade, we have invested heavily in forest health, including thinning dense stands and clearing brush. Those efforts matter; they improve resilience.

• We have a strong population of younger ponderosa pines, many under 75 years old, that represent the next generation of this forest.

• We have a dedicated, knowledgeable staff who care deeply about this land and are committed to its long-term stewardship.

• And we have a supportive community, Board of Directors, Delegate group, and Douglas County officials who understand the challenge and have supported swift action.
  

This is not a battle that will be won in a single season. It will take years of monitoring, management, and adaptation.

Our goal is not to stop the pine beetle across the entire Front Range, that’s not possible. But we can:

• Slow the spread on our property

• Protect key areas

• Reduce future impacts

• Support the long-term health of the forest
  

This is what stewardship looks like in a changing environment. Sadness and a sense of loss are present in this moment. But there is also purpose. And there is hope in what comes next.

For updates, visit www.hrcaonline.org/backcountry or connect with us on social media (Facebook @hrcabackcountry, Instagram @hrca_backcountry)