Northern Colorado: Local, regional and state options for buying or cutting a Christmas tree

Here’s a roundup of Northern Colorado Christmas tree lots and places where you can cut your own tree. Or use our interactive “Find a Christmas Tree” map to help you locate the perfect tree.

• Forest Service Christmas tree cutting area. The Cut Your Own Christmas Tree cutting area provided by the U.S. Forest Service will be in operation Dec. 3 to Dec. 11 near Red Feather Lakes. Four-wheel-drive vehicles required. Permits available at the site on Saturdays and Sundays, otherwise you’ll need to purchase a weekday permit at the Forest Service office at 2150 Center Ave., Building E, in Fort Collins. The price is $10 per tree, with a limit of five trees per person. Location: From Fort Collins take Highway 287, 21 miles north to Livermore. At Livermore turn left onto County Road 74E (Red Feather Lakes Road). Follow Red Feather Lakes Road 16 miles and turn left onto County Road 68C (Boy Scout Road). Follow Boy Scout Road for seven miles. Signs or Forest Service personnel will direct you into the area. For information, email mbollinger@fs.fed.us or call 970-295-6700.

• Cut your own tree at Beaver Meadows Ranch Resort. Cost is $12 per tree for trees up to eight feet, $20 per tree over eight feet. Location: Beaver Meadows Resort Ranch, at 100 Marmot Drive in Red Feather Lakes. Email info@beavermeadows.com or call 970-881-2450.

• Boy Scout Troop 83 is selling Christmas Trees beginning after Thanksgiving. The boys receive a portion of the proceeds from tree sales to help them pay for summer camp and other activities. The tree lot will be located at the northeast corner of Mulberry and Lemay. Sales will occur on weekdays from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. and on weekends from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sales are planned to end at 2 p.m. on December 18.

• Choose and cut Christmas trees. Open day after Thanksgiving through Dec. 19. Hours: 8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. U-cut: $22 up to 8 feet, $2.75 per foot over 8 feet. For info call 970-461-3034. Location: Ristvue Ranch, 1080 Davis Ranch Road west of Bellvue. For information, call 970-461-3034.

• Tree cutters can come in from the cold for hot cocoa and treats. The Red Feather Lakes PTO is hosting a “Cookies and Cocoa” fundraiser on the tree-cutting weekends of Dec. 3 and 4 and Dec. 10 and 11 at the Chapel in the Pines community room at 23947 Red Feather Lakes Road. Proceeds benefit programs and extra-curricular events at Red Feather Lakes Elementary School. Yummy hot cocoa and home-baked treats will be available for purchase plus holiday music, kids’ crafts, handmade and vintage holiday decorations and a sleigh-ride raffle. Enjoy the fun and support a great school and its programs. Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays 1 to 4 p.m.

Options closer to the city include Boy Scout Troop 83 Christmas Tree lot on East Mulberry at Lemay in Fort Collins. The Boy Scouts receive a portion of the proceeds from tree sales to help pay for summer camp and other activities. Sales will occur on weekdays from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. and on weekends from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sales are planned to end at 2 p.m. on December 18. For information, email BleemJ@prpa.org.

Beginning Dec. 2, the Fort Collins Baseball Diamond Club second annual Christmas Tree Sale will feature fresh-cut trees ranging in price from $40 to $90. Monday through Friday 4 to 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Proceeds benefit the Fort Collins High School Lambkin baseball program. Location: Northeast corner, Horsetooth Road and Timberline. Info: 970-223-6090.

If you want to venture farther from home, Christmas tree permits offered by the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management are sale in western Colorado. The permits allow the public to cut a Christmas tree for personal use on National Forest and BLM lands.

Tree cutters must have a valid permit with them. A BLM permit is valid for trees located on BLM lands only, just as a Forest Service permit is only valid for trees located on National Forest System lands. Permit costs range from $8 to $10 per tree depending on which BLM or Forest Service office issues the permit and where the tree is to be cut. No cutting is permitted in campgrounds or other recreation/facility sites, wilderness areas or near lakes, streams or in wetland areas.

The permits come with information explaining regulations and helpful tips. The National Forest and BLM offices also sell maps and offer free advice on the best areas for tree harvesting, species availability and any restrictions of note.

Permits are on sale in:

ASPEN
Aspen-Sopris Ranger Station, 806 West Hallam, 970-925-3445

BAYFIELD
Columbine Ranger District, 367 Pearl St. 970.884.2512

CARBONDALE
Aspen-Sopris Ranger District, 620 Main St., 970-963-2266

COLLBRAN
The Creamery, 2177 Rodeo Road

CORTEZ
City Market, Cortez, 508 E. Main St.

DELTA
Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest, 2250 Highway 50 970-874-6600

DOLORES:
Dolores Public Lands Office, 29211 Highway 184 970-882-7296
Dolores Food Market – 400 Railroad Ave., Dolores
(Note: Permits are not on sale at the Anasazi Heritage Center.)

DURANGO
San Juan Public Lands Center, 15 Burnett Court, 970-247-4874
Kroeger’s Ace Hardware, No. 8 Town Plaza

EAGLE
Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District, 125 W. Fifth St., 970-328-6388

GLADE PARK
Glade Park Store, 16498 Ds Road

GRAND JUCTION
Grand Valley District, 2777 Crossroads Blvd., Suite 1, 970-242-8211
Grand Junction BLM Field Office, 2815 H Road, 970-244-3000

GUNNISON
Gunnison Ranger District, 216 N. Colorado 970.641.0471

MANCOS
Cox Conoco, 201 E. Railroad Ave.

MEEKER
Blanco Ranger District, 220 E. Market St., 970-878-4039
BLM White River Field Office, 220 E. Market St., 970-878-3800

MESA
Padilla’s Mesa General Store, 10986 Colorado Hwy. 65

MINTURN
Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District, 24747 US Hwy. 24, 970-827-5715

MONTROSE PUBLIC LANDS CENTER
2465 S. Townsend Ave., 970-240-5300

NORWOOD
Norwood Ranger District, 1150 Forest, 970-327-4261

PAGOSA SPRINGS
Pagosa Ranger District, 180 Pagosa St., 970-264-2268

PAONIA
Paonia District Office, North Rio Grande Avenue, 970-527-4131

RIFLE
Rifle Ranger District, 0094 County Road 244, 970-625-2371

SILT
BLM Colorado River Valley Field Office, 2300 River Frontage Road, 970-876-9000

SILVERTHORNE
Dillon Ranger District, 680 Blue River Parkway, 970-468-5400

Please plan ahead and be prepared for winter conditions and keep vehicles on the road (or appropriate parking area). Some walking through snow may be necessary to get your tree; wear warm clothes and boots. Pack emergency supplies, carry the appropriate map and leave word with friends or relatives of your planned destination. Vehicles equipped for winter conditions with 4-wheel drive, snow tires or chains are encouraged. Start early, since winter days are shorter. Many National Forest and BLM roads are not plowed for snow removal, and even if backcountry roads are not blocked by snow, dangerous ice conditions may exist.