Today, the entire Colorado Congressional delegation introduced a bill, in both the House and the Senate, to improve the ability of the federal, state, and local governments to deal with problems caused by the beetle infestation in Colorado’s forest lands.

The bill, available by clicking here, includes a variety of provisions intended to further facilitate both the development and implementation of community wildfire protection plans and to enable the Forest Service and Interior Department, in cooperation with state and local authorities and other partners, to do more to reduce the threat of very severe wildfires. It also includes provisions to support research aimed at improving the long-term health of our forests as well as provisions to make it easier for Coloradans – including both small businesses and individual property owners – to assist the federal, state, and local agencies in working toward the reduction of fire risks and improvement of forest health.

Last year several members of the delegation introduced separate bills on this subject. The delegation later agreed to work together to try to develop a consensus approach. This bill is the result of that collaboration.

Congressman Mark Udall (CO-2) – “I have put a priority on reducing the wildfire risks to our communities since I was elected to Congress,” said Rep. Udall. “The risks have been made greater by drought and past management policies. And now there is an additional factor – increasingly widespread infestations of bark beetles that turn whole mountainsides and valleys rust red with dead and dying trees. More and more of our mountain communities find themselves in uncomfortable proximity to these infested areas, which has added to their concerns about the danger of catastrophic wildfires. This legislation takes an important step toward addressing that problem.”

United States Senator Wayne Allard (R-CO) – “The bark beetle problem we are facing in Colorado is only one indicator of a much larger problem, overall poor forest health in Colorado could lead to a disaster,” said Senator Allard. “Already portions of Colorado are burning and the dead trees left in the wake of the Bark Beetle epidemic present a ticking time bomb waiting for a spark or a lightening strike. I’ve been pushing for a solution to this problem for years and this bipartisan will provide much needed relief and forest management tools to help combat this growing threat.”

United States Senator Ken Salazar (D-CO) – “The incidence of bark-beetle infestation, coupled with a looming drought and a hot summer season makes the threat of wildfire all the more real,” said Senator Salazar. “We have an obligation to act as stewards of our natural environment so that future generations can continue to enjoy Colorado’s natural wonders in the future. This bill, sponsored by every member of the Congressional delegation, fulfills this obligation by providing a bi-partisan solution to what is a very serious problem for communities throughout the state of Colorado and our Nation as a whole.”

Congresswoman Diana DeGette (CO-1) – “This bill reflects a truly bipartisan compromise that will get resources on the ground to help deal with insect infestation,” said Rep. DeGette. “Sound forest management should focus on reducing fuels in areas where people live, lowering the cost of treatment, and protecting our most sensitive wilderness areas.”

Congressman Tom Tancredo (CO-6) – “Passage of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act a few years ago achieved landmark procedural reforms that were long overdue,” said Rep. Tancredo “That legislation helped free land managers from what had previously been an unworkable administrative thicket of red tape and bureaucracy, giving them new tools to reduce the threat of catastrophic wildfire, protect community watersheds and improve forest health. This bi-partisan legislation will build on that important foundation.”

Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave (CO-4) – “Once a fire starts, there are enormous costs and widespread damage,” said Rep. Musgrave. “Managing the forests before the sparks fly is critical to minimizing potential damage. As the State of Colorado faces yet another high risk season, I am pleased lawmakers from both parties can come together to help reduce fire hazards and protect state watersheds from damage that could result from bark beetle infestations. Colorado is particularly sensitive to these harmful beetles because it is home to four regional watersheds that supply water to 19 western states. The forests and rivers in Colorado are among our most precious resources.”

Congressman John Salazar (CO-3) – "This summer in Colorado has been dry as dirt,” said Rep. Salazar. “Add hot temperatures to the number of beetle-infested trees spreading throughout Colorado's forests and that equals trouble. In the last two months on the Western Slope, fires blazed through more than 2,000 acres and another fire struck the Durango area earlier this week. This legislation and more fire prevention funding are badly needed. This is the first step of many that Colorado's congressional leaders will have to take to lower the currently high fire risk that threatens portions of Colorado's mountains and the entire Rocky Mountain West."

Congressman Ed Perlmutter (CO-7) – “Managing the impact of bark beetle and other insect infestations is critical to maintaining healthy forests here in Colorado,” said Rep. Perlmutter. “Already we’ve seen more than 450 wildfires this summer, and to mitigate against other dangerous, serious and expensive consequences, we must provide assistance to these at-risk communities. I’m proud to work with my colleagues in Colorado on this important measure that can serve as a model to other states in maintaining healthy forests.”

Congressman Doug Lamborn (CO-5) – "Combating forest fires and protecting our Colorado communities is a top priority for both myself and our entire delegation," said Rep. Doug Lamborn. "This legislation is the result of a bipartisan effort to ensure that the necessary tools are present to reduce the threat of forest fires. This bill also enables individuals and communities to proactively address the beetle infestation problems that contribute to this very real problem. We will continue to work together to fight this problem putting Colorado's forest health at the top of our agenda."