Your guide to Christmas tree cutting in Roosevelt National Forest

Miles Blumhardt, Fort Collins Coloradoan
·2 min read

OK, now that your Thanksgiving Day feast has been consumed, it's time to start thinking Christmas tree.

The Canyon Lakes Ranger District of the Roosevelt National Forest will offer Christmas tree cutting on select forest lands west of Fort Collins. In a typical year, the program results in 3,000 to 4,000 trees being cut, which provides some fire mitigation help, according to the Canyon Lakes Ranger District.

Here is what you need to know:

How to purchase a Christmas tree cutting permit

Permits are on sale for cutting trees in the Canyon Lakes Ranger District west of Fort Collins from Friday, Nov. 25, through Wednesday, Jan. 7. Cost is $20 per tree. There is a five-tree limit.

Permits are only available by visiting www.recreation.gov/tree-permits.

It is advised that you print your receipt in case you are checked. Make sure your permit is displayed onyour dashboard or a visible location.

Christmas tree cutting areas west of Fort Collins

Since the 2020 Cameron Peak Fire, this can get a little tricky as some traditional areas are off limits. The forest service has a cutting area map to assist you.

Suggested areas include Joe Wright Reservoir off Colorado Highway 14 near Cameron Pass and Manhattan Road (Larimer County Road 69) south of Red Feather Lakes.

Rangers will offer suggestions on where to look for trees to cut at the West Lake Picnic Area near Red Feather Lakes from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dec. 3, 4, 10 and 11.

It is advised to download forest maps onto your smartphone through the Avenza Maps app. The app works even when there isn’t cell service and will help ensure you don’t cut trees on private property or in prohibited areas.

Another option: Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest Christmas tree cutting

The Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest in southern Wyoming is also offering Christmas tree cutting.

Permits are $10 (limit five per household) for personal use only and are good through the end of the year.

For more information, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mbr/passes-permits/forestproducts.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: What to know: Christmas tree cutting in Roosevelt National Forest