Extension is on the front line in the fight against invasive pests in Colorado

In Colorado, a population boom has driven increased interest in home horticulture, highlighting the need for research-based pest management education that’s easy to find and use. 

With the state’s population rising by 15% from 2010 to 2020 and most residents concentrated along the Front Range, communities are facing greater exposure to high-priority pests such as Japanese beetle and emerald ash borer. Both continue to spread across the state, often through transported plant material and firewood. This makes early detection and public education critical to protecting Colorado landscapes. 

Colorado Master Gardeners play a pivotal role in this effort. Through county help desks, these volunteers act as “first detectors,” fielding thousands of inquiries from residents and diagnosing emerging pest issues. In 2025 alone, six counties received more than 5,000 questions, with roughly 70% related to plant diagnostics — demonstrating a strong demand for timely, trustworthy horticulture information. 

To meet this need, Colorado State University Extension launched a free “What’s Killing Your Plants?” webinar series designed to strengthen integrated pest management knowledge among both the public and Extension volunteers. Sessions focused on the state’s most pressing pest and disease challenges, and recordings were made available online for long-term use. 

The series reached 609 live participants and generated more than 1,000 additional views. Evaluation results showed significant impact: 98% of respondents learned something new, 76% planned to adopt improved pest management practices and self-reported knowledge increased from 2.6 to 4.1 on a five-point scale.

Colorado State University Extension | Project supported by USDA competitive funds.