Those who are hiking the CT, or even visiting Colorado for the first time (especially along the I-70 corridor), you will likely be shocked at the utter decimation of the pine forests. I lived in Colorado for 16 years in the 1970's and 80's. The forests were magnificent, spectacular. Then, in 2009 I hiked much of the CT, starting in Denver. As I dropped down into Breckenridge, I simply could not believe my eyes. Millions and millions of pine trees, all up and down the Rockies have been killed by Pine Beetles.
Yet, these beetles have lived in the forests for untold thousands of years. What has occurred that has created the mass destruction of these treasured forests by Pine Beetles?
If you're interested, here are a couple of (many) videos that explain what some scientists believed has happened... Others have their own ideas.
If the links don't load, the videos are at You Tube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdK-B8N4SLc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tan_fVE_vxQ