Christmas tree permits, which allow you to cut one tree up to 20 feet tall for personal use until Dec. 31, are on sale for $8 at San Juan National Forest offices and selected retail outlets in southwestern Colorado.
Permits come with a brochure with safety tips, information on which species of tree to harvest, and the best places to find trees. The Forest Service offers one free permit to fourth-grade students who hold a valid Every Kid in a Park pass or paper voucher downloaded from: www.EveryKidinaPark.gov. The free permit is good only at agency offices, and the participating fourth-grader must be present.
In addition, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Christmas Tree Train will run on weekends from Nov. 26 through Dec. 11. Go to: http://www.durangotrain.com/events/christmas-tree-train to find out how you can ride the train into the National Forest to cut your own Christmas tree, with help from the U.S. Forest Service, San Juan Mountains Association and Southwest Colorado Firewise.
National Forest permits are now on sale at:
DoloresDolores Ranger District, 29211 Colorado Highway 184 (8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.Dolores Food Market, 400 Railroad Ave.MancosCox Conoco, 201 E. Railroad Ave.
LewisCox Corner Store, 18794 U.S. Highway 491
BayfieldColumbine Ranger District, 367 Pearl Street (8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
DurangoSan Juan Public Lands Center, 15 Burnett Court (8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through FridayKroeger’s Ace Hardware, No. 8 Town PlazaPagosa SpringsPagosa Ranger District, 180 Pagosa St. (8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Sometimes closed for lunch 12-1 p.m.
National Forest roads are not plowed for snow removal, and icy or snow-packed conditions may exist. For information on road conditions and Christmas tree harvesting, go to: http://www.fs.usda.gov/sanjuan or call a National Forest office.
Bureau of Management Christmas tree permits are sold separately
