Christmas Tree Cutting in US Forest Service Areas!

It's that time again - permits are available for cutting live trees in the US Forest Service lands!

Regional Christmas Tree Program: Front Range/Denver Metro Cutting Areas Map

South Platte Ranger District Holiday Tree Program 2013
Buffalo Creek Christmas Tree Areas
South Platte Ranger District
Pike National Forest

Cost: $10.00/permit/tree; maximum of 5 trees per household
For personal use only; not for resale
Cutting dates: November 29 through December 15

Please note: We have sold out all permits except for following:
Dec. 2 through Dec. 6
Dec. 9 through Dec. 13
Saturday, Dec. 14
Sunday, Dec. 15 (make-up date)

Christmas tree cutting permits are currently on sale at the Morrison Office ranger station only (19316 Goddard Ranch Court, Morrison, CO 80465). Hours are 8:00 am until 4:30 pm weekdays until they are sold out. Cash, checks and credit cards will be accepted for payment. Please call 303-275-5610 to verify permit availability. We apologize for any inconvenience.

The following form and information are in PDF version. Please visit Adobe website to download free Adobe Acrobat software in order to read the files.

Rules and Regulations
Frequently Asked Questions
Holiday Tree Map – Buffalo Creek area
Do’s and Don'ts
Additional Information

Christmas tree identification guide at the Buffalo Creek tree cutting area:

Douglas-Fir
Lodgepole Pine
Rocky Mountain Juniper
Ponderosa Pine
Reminder: Permits are non-refundable and can only be used on the day listed on the permit. If you are unable to cut on the day you purchased your permit for, you can cut on any weekday between December 2 through December 6, December 9 through December 13, or on December 15, 2013.


From Front Range Backcountry Horsemen Facebook Page :

FRBCH members will once again be riding their horses & assisting the USFS, South Platte Ranger District in managing the Christmas Tree cutting program in the Buffalo Creek area, Little Scraggy Trailhead, FR 550. Volunteer dates are Friday, Saturday & Sunday, Nov. 29, 30 & Dec. 1, Saturday & Sunday Dec. 7 & 8 and Saturday Dec. 14.

If you are a member and would like to volunteer please see the link to the newsletter for contact information. If you are not a member and would like to participate, you will need to be an invited guest of another member.

http://www.northforkfire.org/xmas.html

Christmas Trees and Chili
Every year thousands of people visit Buffalo Creek to bring home a Christmas tree. Not only is a great opportunity to start or carry on a family tradition, but it also helps with fire mitigation of the forest, and support the local fire department.

The North Fork Knife and Spoon Auxiliary as well as members of the community pull together to cook, make crafts and inspire the holiday spirit in support of the North Fork Volunteer Fire Department. Since North Fork's district is mostly comprised of National Forest lands that are non-taxable, fund raisers like these are extremely important to how we operate.

What first started as just chili and hot chocolate has turned into vats of North Fork's famous chili, chili dogs, pastries, fudge, holiday crafts, and even Santa himself. And you can come in and meet the firefighters and see the trucks!

The Chili Fest is held at Station 1 on Hwy 126 in Buffalo Creek. This year's dates are:
November 29th and 30th and December 1st, 7th, 8th, 14th and 15th.
Santa arrives at 10:00 am.