Western Colorado lawmakers admit there is little the state legislature can do about Colorado’s catastrophic loss of lodgepole pine forests from an epidemic of the mountain pine beetle. “At this point in time, it’s all defense,” said Rep. Al White, R-Winter Park. “It’s too late for an offensive game to try and stop it.” Instead, lawmakers are talking about continuing a grant program to help communities prevent wildland fires and protect critical watersheds; tax credits to incentivize removal and use of beetle-killed lumber; and promoting federal-state partnerships that would lead to better management of forests.

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