By Shannon Lukens.

If you’re planning to cut down your own Christmas Tree, you will need to get a permit. Those permits are now available from the Bureau of Land Management.

These are trees in specific areas of public lands, so you’ll need to check the BLM map online or at a local field office. The closest are in Kremmling, Craig, and Meeker.

The cost for a permit is between $8-$10, depending on the type of tree available. Make sure to bring a handsaw, rope or twine, eye protection and whatever you’ll need to cut down the tree and haul it out.

Christmas tree permits for the White River National Forest are available to purchase online through Recreation.gov and in-person at local vendors and Ranger District Offices. Details about designated cutting areas, dates, and types of trees that may be cut may be found here.

Fourth graders with an Every Kid Outdoors pass are eligible for a free Christmas tree permit and can apply by entering the pass or voucher number when purchasing a permit (note: a $2.50 reservation fee will be applied).

• Christmas Tree Permit page 
• Christmas Tree Permit Map
• Colorado Christmas Tree Permits
• Every Kid Outdoors Fourth Grade Pass program 

 

 

Announcement — BLM Colorado — Nov. 20, 2025

LAKEWOOD, Colo. – Tis the season for tree harvesting! The Bureau of Land Management is now offering permits to cut Christmas trees for personal use in Colorado.

Trees are available only in specific areas of public lands, so be sure to take a map showing where you can cut trees from a local field office or online … and check it twice. The cost for each permit is $8-$10, and different types of trees are available. Permits can be purchased either online or at most BLM field offices. If you want to call ahead to check when helpers are in the workshop, you can find contact info on the BLM website: https://www.blm.gov/office/colorado-state-office

While you are making a list, the BLM suggests bringing a handsaw, eye protection, rope or twine, extra food, water, and blankets. It’s also a good idea to have tire chains, a shovel, and emergency supplies just in case. Lastly, be sure to use a map or a device with GPS to make sure you are cutting a tree in an area where it’s allowed.

Remember to attach a haul tag to your tree when you take it from BLM lands. After the holidays, please dispose of your tree properly: many communities have compost collection sites for Christmas trees.

For more information about cutting a Christmas tree or firewood on BLM-managed public lands, visit the BLM Christmas Tree site or contact your nearest field office.

-BLM-

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. In fiscal year 2018, the diverse activities authorized on BLM-managed lands generated $105 billion in economic output across the country. This economic activity supported 471,000 jobs and contributed substantial revenue to the U.S. Treasury and state governments, mostly through royalties on minerals.

From Forest Service – U.S. Department of Agriculture; Nov. 21, 2025.

White River National Forest Christmas tree permits available now

Permits available on-line and at local offices and vendors

GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. (Nov. 21, 2025)—Christmas tree permits for the White River National Forest are available to purchase online through Recreation.gov and in-person at local vendors and Ranger District Offices. Details about designated cutting areas, dates, and types of trees that may be cut may be found here.

To purchase a Christmas tree permit, visit Recreation.gov and search for White River National Forest Christmas Tree Permits. It is important to carefully read the overview and need-to-know information prior to purchasing the permit. Visitors will also need to set up or log in to a Recreation.gov account to complete the transaction.

Fourth graders with an Every Kid Outdoors pass are eligible for a free Christmas tree permit and can apply by entering the pass or voucher number when purchasing a permit (note: a $2.50 reservation fee will be applied). 

Cutting a Christmas tree also improves forest health. The permit system helps thin densely populated stands of small-diameter trees. Local forest health experts identify areas that benefit from thinning trees that tend to be the perfect size for Christmas trees. Removing these trees in designated areas helps other trees grow larger and can open areas that provide forage for wildlife. 

For more information, visit these online resources: 

• gov Christmas Tree Permit pagewith map interface
• Help Center article “How Do I Purchase and Print a Christmas Tree Permit?”
• Cut a Tree for the Holidays from Your National Forestarticle
• Every Kid OutdoorsFourth Grade Pass program

About the Forest Service: The USDA Forest Service has for more than 100 years brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science and technology– and rooted in communities–the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.

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