2020 Christmas Trees

Christmas Trees on the South Platte Ranger District
We are excited to be a part of your holiday traditions.

All Christmas tree permits for the 2020 season will be sold online this year starting October 15, 2020. Please visit www.recreation.gov/tree-permits/psicc to purchase your permit.

Although permit sales have moved online this year, the process to purchase your Christmas tree permit stays the same: you must choose a specific cutting day and cutting area when purchasing your Christmas tree cutting permit. Please visit www.recreation.gov/tree-permits/psicc for more information.

Permits are not available for purchase at the South Platte Ranger District office.
Please DO NOT mail permit requests to the district office.

PERMITS MUST BE PURCHASED IN ADVANCE. NO ON-SITE SALES AVAILABLE.

Cost: $20.00 per permit/tree plus a processing fee
Maximum: 5 trees per household
Trees must be for personal use only and not for resale.
Permits are NON-REFUNDABLE and must be used on the date specified.

South Platte Ranger District Christmas Tree cutting locations

Buffalo Creek: Buffalo Creek experiences snow that results in icy, snowpacked roads. Visitors will need a 4-wheel drive vehicle, shovels, sand, and tow straps in case of emergency. Take Hwy 285 to Pine Junction, turn left onto County Rd 126 and drive for about 12 miles. Visitors can meet Smokey Bear in this location on weekends. There is private land within the Buffalo Creek areas in the South Platte Ranger District boundary. Trees must be cut on National Forest Service land and it is the permittees’ responsibility to make sure they are on National Forest.

Camp Fickes: There are no camping, no trailers or picnics allowed within the cutting area. High clearance 4-wheel drive capable vehicles are required for access. This area is at the end of Forest Service Rd 550.

Sugar Creek: This area is located along Douglas County Road 67, approximately 1.5 miles south of the Sprucewood/County Road 40 junction. The area is best accessed from Sedalia, CO off Hwy 85 (Sante Fe)

South Platte Ranger District Christmas tree cutting locations map

2020 Dates:
October - Permits are only available for purchase online at www.recreation.gov/tree-permits/psicc starting October 15, 2020.

November/December - Christmas tree cutting dates will be 11/27-12/13. Cutting on the weekends will be limited.

Available Dates:
Available tree cutting dates will be listed on www.recreation.gov/tree-permits/psicc .

Rules and Conditions

Please DO:

• Have your permit purchased from www.recreation.gov/tree-permits/psicc visible and available.
• Remove the entire tree including all lower branches and stem wood.
• Choose trees that are 6 inches or less in diameter at gound level.

Please DO NOT:

• Tresspass on private property.
• Cut a tree without a permit.
• “Top” the trees by cutting only half of the tree.
• Leave any live limbs on the stumps by cutting trees 6 inches or less from the ground.

Safety Suggestions:

• Shooting is not allowed in the Buffalo Creek area at any time during Christmas tree cutting. §36 CFR261.58(m).
• Shooting is not allowed in the Sugar Creek area at any time. §36 CFR261.50(a).
• Dress warm and be prepared for changes in weather.
• Forest roads may be snow covered and icy. You should carry chains and/or use a four wheel drive vehicle. It may also be necessary to use a high clearance vehicle.
• Have a full tank of gas.
• Leave pets at home.
• Pack out your trash.
• Teach family members what to do in case they get lost.
• Bring a hand saw. Chainsaws, axes, and power saws are not allowed.
• Please be at the area entrance no later than 2:30 p.m. to allow for plenty of daylight to find and cut your tree. The sun sets early during the holiday season and darkness falls around 4:30 p.m.

Holiday Spirit:
Plan on making your tree cutting experience one to remember with friends and family! Bring lots of warm clothes, a picnic lunch, cameras, and Santa hats!

Christmas Tree Frequently Asked Questions

South Platte Ranger District Office:
30403 Kings Valley Drive, Suite 2-115
Conifer, CO 80433
Phone: (303) 275-5610

Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8am - 4:30pm.
Closed Federal holidays and weekends.

Access to the district office is through the upper parking lot of the King's Valley Marketplace.

Notes:

• The South Platte Ranger District office is closed due to COVID-19.
• We expect all weekend permits to sell out.
• By removing these smaller trees you are contributing to forest health and reducing fire danger.
• Persons cutting or removing trees from National Forest System lands without a valid permit are subject to a fine of up to $5000 and/or 6 months imprisonment.
• Please observe all rules and conditions.

South Park Ranger District Holiday Tree Program

Save the date for the annual Destination Imagination Christmas Tree Cut and Carry Fundraiser! Destination Imagination (DI) is a volunteer-led, educational nonprofit dedicated to inspiring the next generation of innovators, leaders and creative problem solvers, teaching "21st century" skills and STEM principles to kindergarten through university level students by collaborative problem solving challenges. Help support our local kids, and get a fresh cut Christmas tree for your home!
When: Saturday, November 28, 2020 from 9-3pm
Where: 32752 Redskin Road, Bailey CO 80421 (locally known as Fire Service Road 550)
Cost: Cash Donations Only

Want to Cut Your Own Christmas Tree?

Cutting a Christmas tree in a national forest is a tradition for many. By cutting your own tree, you take an active part in managing your national forests! Costs vary typically between $5-$20 depending on location.

Every Kid Outdoors initiative is offering one free Holiday Tree permit to fourth-graders that have a valid 4th Grade Interagency Pass. These free Holiday Tree permits are only available at U.S. Forest Service District offices.

*4th grader & pass must be present to obtain your free tree cutting permit.

South Platte Ranger District
(Buffalo Creek)
30403 Kings Valley Drive,
Suite 2-115,
Conifer, CO 80433
(303) 275-5610

South Park Ranger District
P.O. Box 219, 320 Hwy 285,
Fairplay, CO 80440
(719) 836-2031

The South Park Ranger District online sales started October 15th and run through December 31st . Sales by mail are also available. An online mail in order from may be obtained by following this link.

Holiday Tree cutting is allowed throughout the South Park Ranger District, with the exception of a few restricted areas. Please print off the map for the area you will be visiting. Also, there are maps of suggested areas based on tree species, accessibility and size, available. These may be viewed on the recreation.gov website as well as in the links below.

Be aware of the area you are purchasing a permit for. Each permit has a unique number associated with it so permits purchased through the Recreation.gov website MUST be printed to be valid. Visitors will need to display the printed permit on the dash of their vehicle on the day they visit the forest to cut their tree.

Visitors must establish a Recreation.gov account to purchase a permit and may access their permit through their account at any time. Trees are $20.00 per tree with a limit of 5 permits per household. All sales are final. There is a reservation fee of $2.50 per transaction for the reservation service and support from the Recreation.gov system and staff. The funds from Christmas tree permits purchased through the Recreation.gov system will go back to the participating Forest through Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA) funding requirements.

Fourth-grade students with an Every Kid Outdoors pass/voucher can apply for a free Christmas Tree permit through the online system with Recreation.gov by selecting the option and then entering their voucher or pass number when prompted.

Forest health is important, and by removing these smaller trees you are contributing to the overall wellbeing of the forest and reducing fire danger. Persons cutting or removing trees from the National Forest without a valid permit are subject to a fine of up to $5000 and/or 6 months imprisonment.

Maps - Start HERE to locate your tree cutting area.

If you are cutting in the western half of the South Park Ranger District, check this MAP to confirm that you're not cutting in a restricted area.

Detailed maps of western cutting areas include:

Alma, Beaver Creek - Crooked Creek, Como - Boreas Pass, Fourmile - Thompson Park, Jefferson, Michigan Creek, Salt Creek, Warm Springs.

If you are cutting in the eastern half of the South Park Ranger District, check this MAP to confirm that you're not cutting in a restricted area.

Detailed maps of eastern cutting areas include:

Blue Mountain, Bordenville, Eagle Rock, Lake George, Lost Park Road - west, Lost Park Road - North Fork, Packer Gulch, Ranger Station, Turner Gulch.

Click HERE for answers to the most Frequently Asked Questions.

Looking for specific information on the Holiday Tree Cutting Program? Click HERE.

Would like to share the spirit of the holidays and donate a Holiday Tree Permit to someone who either cannot afford to purchase their own tree or tree permit; or for those with disabilities that prevent them from getting their own tree? Donated trees cost $20.00 per tree. To pick up or donate a tag, contact the South Park Ranger District, 320 Highway 285, P.O. Box 219, Fairplay, CO 80440. (719)836-2031.

USFS Interactive Regional Map

Due to the fires in Grand County and Boulder County, opening the forests for Christmas tree permits are still under evaluation. Decision expected by mid-November, if they keep it closed, there may be additional demand for trees in South Platte and South Park's regional districts.

Much of Arapaho, Roosevelt National Forests reopen; Christmas tree cutting still in limbo
by: Lisa D'Souza, KDVR | Posted: Nov 10, 2020

Visit the Evergreen Red Barn for a unique Christmas experience! Christmas trees, live music, local vendors, and kids activities, will help make memories your family will never forget!

We will open Friday, November 27, 2020!

TREE TOWNE
Choose the perfect Christmas tree! We offer a beautiful selection of pre-cut Wisconsin Balsam Fir, Fraser Fir, or Canaan Fir from 6-feet to 12-feet tall.

We’ll even tie down the tree to your car free of charge!

SAINT NICHOLAS WORKSHOP
Kids, enjoy making a Christmas craft in our Workshop. Create an ornament or a handmade craft to take home with you.

*When you’re finished, step outside and take a wagon ride around the farm road. (Weather depending.)

DECK THE HALLS GIFT SHOPPE
Deck the Halls Gift Shoppe is the perfect place to buy unique Christmas gifts handmade by local Colorado vendors.

The Gift Shoppe will be open November 27-29, and December 5-6, 2020 only.

ROUND THE TREE STORY TIME
Kids, gather around the tree for story time! Your favorite Christmas books will be read aloud. Check the schedule when you arrive!

OLDE TIME PHOTOS
Bring your selfie stick, iPhone, or camera to capture family photos. Our staff is available to help you capture these precious moments.

WONDERLAND SNACK SHOPPE
Feeling hungry? Stop in at the Snack Shoppe for a treat. Enjoy roasting a s’more at the outdoor fire pit.

HOURS OF OPERATION
Opening day
Black Friday, November 27, 2020

**Vendors and all activities will be available
Thanksgiving weekend (November 27, 28, and 29, 2020)
and the first weekend of December (December 5-6, 2020).**

BLACK FRIDAY – 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
SATURDAY – 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
SUNDAY – 10:00 PM – 6:00 PM

MONDAY – FRIDAY – TREE SALES ONLY!
Please call first. 303-674-1838, ext. 701

We expect to sell out of trees by the middle of December!
However, trees will be available for purchase through December 23, or until we sell out.

27826 Alabraska Ln,
Evergreen, CO 80439

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Phone: 303-674-1838
Text: 720-635-2511 OR 303-249-8715
evergreenredbarnchristmas.com/

Local places to purchase Christmas Trees:

Fireside Christmas Trees
3949 Evergreen Access Road
Hwy 74 between Safeway & Evergreen Lake
(303) 817-1897
Open Mon-Thur 9am-7am, Fri & Sat 9am-9pm, Sun 9am-8pm
www.facebook.com/Fireside-Christmas-Trees-375035793238942/

Tomari's Coffee and Public House
6328 S. Turkey Creek Rd, Morrison, CO 80465
(303) 697-5000
Tree lot is open for business 10 to 6pm, Tuesday -Sunday.
tomariscoffee.com/
www.facebook.com/Tomariscoffee/

JP Total
4370 Independence Trl, Evergreen, CO 80439
(303) 670-8414
www.jptotallawncare.com/
www.facebook.com/pages/Jp%20Total%20Lawn...nce/162325133791177/

The Home Depot, Evergreen
1014 El Rancho Rd, Evergreen CO 80439
www.homedepot.com/l/Evergreen/CO/Evergreen/80439/1535
www.facebook.com/Home.Depot.Evergreen.Co/

Discover Colorado with a true Christmas experience just outside of Denver at Tomari's
By: The Denver7 Team, Dec 09, 2020

Christmas is the best time of the year for Tom Miszewski and Mari Ellis, who run the aptly-named Tomari’s in Morrison – where you can go for a bite to eat, a hot drink and a Colorado Christmas tree.

Just a short drive from Denver, and renovated from the old Little Log Store, Tom and Mari consider their coffee shop a community meeting place a la a public house, where people can gather to eat, drink and share stories.

Pick up some coffee from locally-roasted Mad Loon and maybe have it spiked with a shot of whiskey for the holidays inside Tomari's Cafe and Public House, and get the kids a hot cocoa before heading out to pick this year’s Christmas tree, most of which are grown locally by Tom and the couple’s neighbors just 5 miles up the road.

“It’s so impactful to be a part of making someone’s Christmas special for them,” Mari said.

Tomari's Trees

Tomorrow, Saturday January 9th from 9am-3pm you can recycle your Christmas tree at Evergreen Lutheran Church courtesy of Evergreen Sustainability Alliance (formerly known as EAS+Y). Donations are encouraged and appreciated for the service provided.

How and Where to Recycle or Dispose Your Christmas Tree in 2021 After The Holidays

Other tips and ideas:

• Soil erosion barriers
• Fish feeders
• Bird feeders
• Mulch
• Paths for Hiking Trails
• Living, rooted trees

Important: Never burn your Christmas tree in a fireplace or wood stove. Pines, firs and other evergreens have a high content of flammable turpentine oils. Burning the tree may contribute to creosote buildup and risk a chimney fire.