COLORADO — Christmas Tree permits are on sale and available for purchase online this year due to COVID-19, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The permits are on sale now through Dec. 24 on the San Carlos, Leadville, Salida, South Park, Pikes Peak and South Platte Ranger districts. The department said sales moved online to allow convenience to customers as well as provide an alternative as some offices may remain closed due to the pandemic.
“For many families, traveling to the forest to cut a Christmas Tree for the holidays is a treasured tradition of hiking through the forest to find the perfect centerpiece,” said Diana Trujillo, Forest and Grasslands Supervisor, said in a release. “Cutting a Christmas Tree in our designated areas helps improve forest health by thinning stands of small diameter trees that are perfect for the season, helping other trees grow larger and opening areas that provide forage for wildlife.”
The cost is $20 per tree with a maximum of five trees that can be cut. As it is every year, chainsaws are not allowed. Handsaws are the only way you can cut down your tree. The fine for cutting a tree without a permit is $5,000 and or six months in jail.
The Pikes Peak Ranger District is closest to Colorado Springs. To purchase a permit, you'll need to create a login for the USDA website. Click here to go to the site.
