AURORA | It’s here. The destructive Emerald Ash Borer has officially arrived in Aurora.

City officials say forestry crews are going to start cutting down a lot of healthy-looking trees, but it’s only because they will eventually succumb to an invasive insect.

The beautiful, little emerald-colored pest was first detected in Boulder in 2013. It was discovered in Aurora in June, causing an almost 100% mortality rate for any ash tree it infects, according to Adrian Camacho, manager of open space and forestry.

“This is a pest that is here, and it’s emerged in the whole region,” Camacho said. “All (Ash) trees will succumb to this insect over time.”

Emerald Ash Borers attack and destroy only ash trees.

The Colorado Forest Service said the insect has been detected in trees in Adams, Arapahoe

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