Invasive, Destructive Pest Found Outside Quarantine in Colorado

The U.S. Forest Service confirmed in a release Tuesday that the highly invasive and destructive pest emerald ash borer (EAB) was found in the county of Broomfield.

This is the first confirmation that EAB is outside of the federal quarantined area established in 2013, which is primarily Boulder County, according to the release.

That quarantine was put in place to slow down and prevent this invasive pest's spread.

Between 2 to 4 years after infestation the EAB kills stressed and healthy ash trees. This affects most trees in Colorado as well. Approximately 15% of urban and community trees could be affected by the infestation.

The EAB was first found in Boulder in 2013 and then in trees in Gunbarrel, Longmont, Lafayette, Lyons and Superior which are in the quarantined area.

The release says the quarantine boundaries will not change at this time.