Colorado State Forest Service

Despite occasional rain showers in areas of western Colorado over the spring and summer, persistent drought conditions have parched soil over much of the western part of the state, stressing irrigated lawns and larger landscape trees.

The Town of Erie is the latest community on the Front Range to confirm the presence of emerald ash borer – an invasive, highly destructive tree pest.

EAB is on the move along the Front Range, and with Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week taking place this week, partners with the Colorado Emerald Ash Borer Response Team are encouraging residents to prepare for EAB and ‘plant ahead’ for the inevitable.

More than half of all Coloradans live in the wildland-urban interface (WUI), where homes and other structures meet wildland vegetation, and are at some risk of being affected by wildfire. An updated Home Ignition Zone guide from the Colorado State Forest Service can help these residents prepare their home and property for wildfire with practical steps and guidance.

Governor Jared Polis has signed a proclamation declaring this May as Wildfire Awareness Month, an annual observance to encourage residents to better prepare their homes and communities for wildfires. With about half of all Coloradans – about 3 million people – living in the wildland-urban interface (WUI), it’s important for people to take action to reduce the risk wildfire poses to their homes and create more fire-adapted communities.