Christmas tree permits, which allow people to cut their own holiday tree, are on sale for $8 at San Juan National Forest offices and selected retail outlets in Southwest Colorado.
A permit allows holders to cut one tree up to 20-feet tall for personal use until Dec. 31. Permits come with a brochure with 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 Outdoors pass or paper voucher downloaded from www.everykidoutdoors.gov.
The free permit is good only at agency offices, and the participating fourth grader must be present.
San Juan Mountains Association and San Juan National Forest employees volunteer to help community members select and cut a tree on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Christmas Tree Train.
The Christmas Tree Train will run Sundays, Dec. 1, 8 and 15. For more information, visit www.durangotrain.com/events/christmas-tree-train.
Christmas tree permits may be purchased in advance at these locations with cash or check only:
Bayfield: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, Columbine Ranger District, 367 Pearl St.Dolores: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, Dolores Ranger District, 29211 Colorado Highway 184; 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dolores Outfitters 341 Railroad Ave.Durango: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, San Juan Public Lands Center, 15 Burnett Court; Kroegers Ace Hardware, 8 Town Plaza.Lewis: 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Cox Corner Store, 18794 Highway 491.Mancos: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Cox Conoco, 201 E. Railroad Ave.Pagosa Springs: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, Pagosa Ranger District, 180 Pagosa St.National forest roads are not plowed for snow removal, and icy or snow-packed conditions may exist.
For information about 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.