Christmas tree permits, which allow you to cut your own Christmas tree, are now on sale for $8 at San Juan National Forest offices and selected retail outlets in Southwest Colorado. A permit allows you to cut one tree up to 20 feet tall for personal use until Dec. 31, 2018. Permits come with a brochure and safety tips, information on which species of tree to harvest, and the best places to find trees.
The Forest Service is also offering 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 Nov. 24 through Dec. 9. Go to: 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 Fire Adapted Communities of Southwest Colorado.
San Juan National Forest permits are now on sale at:
Bayfield: Columbine Ranger District, 367 Pearl Street.Dolores: Dolores Ranger District, 29211 Colorado Highway 184; Dolores Food Market, 400 Railroad AvenueDurango: San Juan Public Lands Center, 15 Burnett Court; Kroeger’s Ace Hardware, No. 8 Town PlazaLewis: Cox Corner Store, 18794 U.S. Highway 491.Mancos: Cox Conoco, 201 E. Railroad Ave.Pagosa Springs: Pagosa Ranger District, currently in a trailer at 180 Pagosa St.National Forest roads are not plowed for snow removal, and icy or snowpacked conditions may exist. Bureau of Land Management Christmas tree permits are sold separately and are not valid on U.S. Forest Service lands.
