The egregious deforestation is destroying wildlife habitat and likely violating federal laws protecting certain aviary species. Within the Conifer and Staunton Park areas, Eagles, Goshawk, and woodpeckers rely on forest cover for hunting and the woodpeckers require decaying trees to make nests. All our federally, protected species and punishable by federal law. Dispossession of their habitat, particularly in the winter months and breeding season, disrupts the ecosystem. This disruption provides evasive species of insects to invade.
Over zealous fire mitigation is disrupting and collapsing long established aquifers that feed our water supply, affecting our water quality concerns in our wells and expanding drought issues for the Denver, Metro area and beyond. Insurance company such as Allstate and State Farm are requiring deforestation disallowing wind breaks and shade for our homes which is increasing our energy usage as well.
Lastly, I would encourage you to research Dr. Suzanne Simard, a groundbreaking, author and professor of ecology, University of British columbia. Her research has proven crucial forest management through the root network of Trees. Destroying trees cuts, communication and severs the knowledge that older trees are communicating through the root structures working together to maintain health of the forest.

Education about what occurs beyond the surface needs to be taken very seriously before further destruction of our mountain ecosystems reaches a point of no return.