Christmas tree permits, which allow you to cut your own holiday 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. Permits come with a brochure of 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 from Saturday through Dec. 11. Visit www.durangotrain.com/events/christmas-tree-train to find out how you can ride the train into the San Juan National Forest to cut your own Christmas tree, with help from the U.S. Forest Service, San Juan Mountains Association and Southwest Colorado Firewise.
National forest roads are not plowed for snow removal, and icy or snow-packed conditions may exist. For information on road conditions and Christmas tree harvesting, visit www.fs.usda.gov/sanjuan or call the national forest office closest to your destination.
Bureau of Land Management Christmas tree permits are sold separately.
