Mountain Pine Beetle Information and Programs

The Mountain Pine Beetle (MBP) has devastated millions of acres across the west’s vast forest ecosystems.  The outbreak has produced epidemic levels of beetle populations that are attacking Lodgepole, Limber, Bristlecone and Ponderosa Pine.  While past methodology for treatment and mitigation have proven effective on protecting trees and reducing impacts, the current outbreak has been resilient to any of these techniques on a long term basis. 

Additional information about MPB, signs, symptoms, control and prevention, please click on the following link   Mountain Pine Beetle

1996 - 2009

The above graphic shows the impacted lands in Clear Creek County from 1996-2008.  It is estimated that 95% of Lodgepole Pine will be dead within 3-5 years or 27% of Clear Creek County’s forests.  There has been great discussion by various organizations at the federal, state and local level, that MPB will impact pure stands of Ponderosa Pine as they have in the Lodgepole Pine ecosystem.

Clear Creek County is offering various programs to help citizens with forest mitigation.  These programs are:

1)      Rental of a 6” Vermeer wood chipper (look for more information in Spring 2010)

2)     Site visits to perform tree marking and property assessment for forest mitigation and fuels reduction.

For further information, please contact the Clear Creek County Site Development Department at 303-679-2421 or for additional resources click on the following links:    Regional Bark Beetle   and  Mountain Pine Beetle

Data, Maps and Graphics:

• 2009 Insect Damage
• USDA Forest Service Data Disclaimer
• Download Insect Data from USDA Forest Service
• Colorado – 2008 Aerial Detection Survey
• Colorado – 2008 Mountain Pine Beetle Activity in Colorado
• Denver West 2008 Aerial Insect and Disease Survey   (11.0mb)
• Clear Creek County 2008 Insect and Disease and Public Lands
• Clear Creek County 2008 Insect and Disease by Species with previous years damage  (14.5mb)
• Clear Creek County 2007 Insect and Disease map  (1.97mb)
• Clear Creek County 2006 Insect and Disease map  (8.05mb)
• CDOT ROW – Bark Beetle Damage 2006   (2.02mb)
• Arapaho & Roosevelt NF Progression Map 2001-2006   (6.26mb)
• Clear Creek County Annual Assessment video 1996-2009  (341kb)
• Clear Creek County Cumulative Assessment video 1996-2009   (8.9mb)  (requires Apple QuickTime software or similar –
                                                                                                                    Click here to download QuickTime)