San Juan National Forest Christmas tree permits are available for purchase.
U.S. Forest Service officials say $8 permits can be purchased at National Forest offices and selected retail outlets in Southwest Colorado.
A permit allows people to cut one tree up to 20 feet tall.
And in a new program, free permits, through the San Juan National Forest, are being offered to fourth-grade students with a valid Every Kid in a Park pass, or paper voucher.
The permit is good for one Christmas tree, only at San Juan National Forest offices. The participating fourth-grader must be present.
For more information, visit EveryKidinaPark.gov, or www.fs.usda.gov/sanjuan.
Also new this year is the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Christmas Tree Train. Visit Durangotrain.com/events/christmas-tree-train to find out how to ride the train to find a Christmas tree in the San Juan National Forest.
Bureau of Land Management Christmas tree permits are sold separately.
National Forest permits are now on sale at:
Bayfield: San Juan National Forest Columbine Ranger District, 367 Pearl St.
Cortez: City Market, 508 East Main St.
Dolores: San Juan National Forest Dolores Ranger District, 29211 Colorado Highway 184, and Dolores Food Market, 400 Railroad Ave.
Durango: San Juan National Forest Public Lands Center, 15 Burnett Court, and Kroeger’s Ace Hardware, No. 8 Town Plaza
Mancos: Cox Conoco, 201 E. Railroad Ave.
Pagosa Springs: San Juan National Forest Pagosa Ranger District, 180 Pagosa St.
pmarcus@durangoherald.com