Over the past 5 years Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) has focused its Japanese Beetle prevention efforts on external quarantine and monitoring nursery stock imported into Colorado from other states. Japanese Beetle infestation is known to be present in Denver and along the Front Range (see attached map), however, most of the state is still considered non-infested. This has prompted the CDA to propose various options to expand focus on potential movement of this insect from the Front Range area to other un-infested areas within Colorado.

The CDA is requesting ALCC member input on the proposed changes to expand the Japanese Beetle Quarantine to include the Colorado Front Range. It should be noted that this proposal does not prohibit plant purchases from along the Front Range but instead puts into place requirements that nurseries would need to abide by.

The following maps of the Front Range and Denver/Boulder/Greeley detail the Japanese Beetle detection areas within Colorado. The color coding on the maps is as follows: Green = no concern, Yellow = low to moderate populations, Red = moderate to high populations.

Please review the proposal and send your comments and/or feedback to Kristen Fefes by October 31.