Cut Your Own Christmas Tree With The US Forest Service!
Christmas tree permits for the two areas are available for $10 per tree and are limited to a maximum of five permits per person.
Elk Creek Cutting Area: open Dec. 3-10
The Elk Creek Cutting Area is located west of Fraser and Winter Park. From Fraser, travel west on County Road 72 to the cutting area entrance.
Motor vehicles equipped with four-wheel-drive or chained tires entry from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Snowmobiles and ATVs are not allowed in the cutting area.
You MUST buy your permits in advance.No permits will be available for purchase at the gates of the cutting area and permits are no longer available by mail. Permits are available seven days a week at Murdoch’s, Winter Park Chamber of Commerce, Grand Lake Chamber of Commerce and Granby Ace Hardware. See hours listed below. The Granby district office will no longer be providing permits by mail.
Can’t make the special cutting area dates? The Sulphur District permits are good almost anywhere on the district from Nov. 1 through Jan. 6. Most roads will be closed to motor vehicles after Nov. 17, but snowmobiles or skis may be used to access much of the district. For a map of cutting areas and more information, visit www.fs.usda.gov/goto/arp/SulphurXmas.
Where to Buy a Permit For Elk Creek:
Winter Park chamber of Commerce – 78841 U.S. Highway 40 Winter Park, Colorado; open 7 days a week, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Country Ace Hardware – 627 W. Agate Granby, Colorado 80446; open Monday – Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Murdoch’s Ranch & Home Supply – 541 Zerex St. Fraser, Colorado 80442; open Monday – Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sulphur Ranger District – 9 Ten Mile Drive Granby, Colorado 80446; open Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Grand Lake Chamber -- 14700 US Highway 34, Grand Lake, CO 80446; open 7 days a week, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Red Feather Lake Cutting Area: open Dec. 3-11
Red Feather is located about an hour west of Fort Collins in a mountainous region. 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.
Entry allowed from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and for safety reasons, please leave the area by 4 p.m. Permits are available for the location near Red Feather Lakes at the U.S. Forest Service Fort Collins and Ault offices. The Visitor Office in Fort Collins is open Monday – Tuesday and Thursday – Friday. Call 970-295-6700 before arriving to ensure someone who can sell permits is available. Permits will be available on site for cash on the weekends only.
Where to Buy a Permit for Red Feather:
Canyon Lakes Ranger District – 2150 Centre Avenue, Building E, Fort Collins, CO 80526; open Monday – Tuesday and Thursday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Cash only
Pawnee National Grassland – 115 North 2nd Avenue, Ault, CO 80610; open Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Cash only.
On site at Red Feather Lake Cutting Area – WEEKENDS ONLY. Cash only.
Don’t forget to bring your handsaw or ax (chainsaws are prohibited), winter clothing, water, warm drinks and snacks, sled for pulling tree or young children, equipment for loading tree, and vehicle safety kit that could include a shovel, blanket, first aid kit, etc. Most importantly, make sure your vehicle has four wheel drive (not all wheel drive) or chains or traction devices (not socks). This is required.
Have fun cutting your Christmas trees!
33741 Colorado 257 Windsor 970-686-5253 http://www.windsorstrees.com/
Visitors to this farm will be treated to complimentary cider, coffee and hay rides. Once they get down to business they can select from several tree species, including Scotch pine. The Windsors' farm is a family affair, with the owners' daughter supplying seasonal wreaths to enhance the tree selection. Co-owner Janice Windsor advises visitors to make sure the young ones are bundled up and allow for at least an hour to find and cut the right tree.
Creekside Tree Nursery 3283 61st St. Boulder, CO 80301 (303) 668-7647
www.creeksideboulder.com
Creekside Tree Nursery is a fantastic location in Boulder to pick and cut your Christmas tree. You’ll find trees from two feet to 18 feet in all sorts of varieties. From Fraser Fir to Noble Fir to White Pine, Douglas Fir, Nordman Fir and more, there is a tree for everyone here and you’ll find the perfect one for your family. Plus, for every tree harvested, two to three seedlings are planted in its place. Creekside recommends you enjoy the tree-cutting experience after dark, sipping on hot chocolate while munching on a candy cane.
