Gov. Jared Polis has signed HB26-1150 (Department of Agriculture Supplemental) into law, marking the first bill signed into law this legislative session. The measure directs additional funding to the state’s Department of Agriculture, including support for the Palisade Insectary to expand biological control efforts aimed at mitigating the invasive mountain pine beetle outbreak.
According to the governor’s office, the funding will bolster the insectary’s production of predatory insects used as natural enemies of the mountain pine beetle, an approach intended to reduce reliance on chemical pesticides and limit forest damage that can heighten wildfire risk.
Sponsored by Rep. Emily Sirota and Sen. Jeff Bridges, Dan Bean, the insectary director, emphasized that biocontrol will serve as one component of a broader, multi-agency response.
“I am proud to be signing the first bill of this session that directs funding toward our phenomenal Palisade Insectary to help combat the impact of the invasive mountain pine beetle and better protect Colorado forests and prevent wildfires,” Polis said.
Polis recently announced appointments to a Pine Beetle Task Force, which recently convened its first meeting to coordinate statewide mitigation efforts.
For law and policy observers, the enactment reflects Colorado’s use of appropriations legislation to address environmental threats through integrated pest management strategies and intergovernmental coordination.