The recent confirmation of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) within the City of Boulder introduces a new tree pest to the metro-Denver urban forest that could impact 100’s of thousands of property owners across the Front Range of Colorado. Denver alone has an estimated 330,000 ash trees at risk, and losing these trees will have adverse economic, environmental and social impacts on our community.  Over the next decade, EAB has the potential to destroy more of our urban forest than any other disease or pestilence in history.

State officials are in the process of establishing quarantine boundaries for Boulder County, and it is important to stress that this is currently the only known infestation in the state. The quarantine will restrict the movement of ash wood (tree services, trash services, firewood dealers, etc.) and prohibit the sale of all ash trees within its boundaries.  Several cities and state agencies will be teaming up with Boulder to perform inspections around the City to try and determine the extent of the infestation with hopes of controlling its spread.

Since this infestation was made public, Denver’s forestry staff members have completed several hundred miles of inspections looking specifically for EAB infestations across the city, and no signs of EAB have been found.

Colorado Department of Agriculture

Insecticide Options for Ash Trees

Identify Ash Trees On Your Property

Learn About Identifying EAB

The Colorado Department of Agriculture EAB information 

Scientific research on the various treatments 

Help identify an ash tree on your property 

Learn more about identifying EAB