DENVER - Today, Governor Polis signed the first bills of the 2026 Colorado Legislative Session into law administratively. The first bill signed this session helps address the outbreak of the invasive Mountain Pine Beetle by supporting the Palisade Insectary’s important work on biological controls. Governor Polis recently announced the appointments to the Pine Beetle Task Force which will coordinate the all government response to this outbreak. The task force had its first meeting this week.
HB26-1150 - Department of Agriculture Supplemental, sponsored by Representative Emily Sirota, and Senator Jeff Bridges.
“Colorado is proud of our innovative and strong agricultural sector. 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,” said Governor Polis.
“Using biocontrol - predatory insects that are the mountain pine beetle’s natural predators - means we can reduce pesticide use by using the beetle's natural enemies,” said Palisade Insectary Director Dr. Dan Bean. “Biocontrol will be just one piece of a multi-pronged effort to mitigate the impacts of the bark beetle on front range forests.”
Governor Polis also signed the following bills into law administratively:
- HB26-1151 - Department of Corrections Supplemental, sponsored by Representative Emily Sirota, and Senator Jeff Bridges.
- HB26-1155 - Department of Health Care Policy & Financing Supplemental, sponsored by Representative Emily Sirota, and Senator Jeff Bridges.
- HB26-1177 - End Nursing Provider Wage Enhancement Payments, sponsored by Representatives Kyle Brown and Rick Taggart, and Senators Judy Amabile and Barbara Kirkmeyer. This bill is bipartisan.
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