House Bill 1199 Colorado Healthy Forests and Vibrant Communities Act of 2009

This bill would use Severance Tax Trust Fund money and a cash fund created from the 2008 Healthy Forests bill to apply $3 Million in 2009-2010 and $75 Million during the following year to help communities with wildfire preparation.

House Bill 1110 An Income Tax Deduction for all Landowner's Direct Costs Incurred in Performing Wildfire Mitigation Measures

This bill, passed in 2008,  allows landowner's to claim a maximum $2,500 in deductions on tree work related to wildfire mitigation. This deduction may be claimed by private landowners who live in areas that have a Community Wildfire Protection Plan in place - Winter Park qualifies.

Surveys released in January 2009 show that about 900,000 new acres were impacted by the mountain pine beetle in 2008. Approximately 45% of these new areas are located in northern Colorado. The current epidemic affects lodgepole pines that have trunk diameter greater than 5 inches. However, there are indications that smaller diameter trees and trees of other species, such as ponderosa, bristlecone, and limber pine, have started to be affected.

The outbreak, which began in 2001, has continued to expand due to recent mild winters and summer drought conditions which have stressed the forests in our region. However, 2008 Aerial Surveys conducted by the Forest Service indicate that the outbreak has begun to slow in Grand County, as compared with other areas of the Rocky Mountain region.

What does this mean? This means that in places where logging and hazardous fuels reduction projects have taken place, the forest has begun to regenerate. This new forest will present a healthier, less homogenous one than that which was affected by the mountain pine beetle.


Closures and Advisory Information:

There are no current closures or advisories.

For more information view the Sulphur Ranger District Website.