Christmas Tree Cutting Patrols

[LCPilot]

We are looking for members, Guests and friends to help us with the annual Christmas Tree Cutting Area Patrols.

It works pretty simply, We show up at the Philips 66 gas station in divide. When every has shown up we convoy to the Rule Ridge trail head. There we sign a volunteer sheet, are issued magnetic signs, and forest service radios. The Forest Rangers recommend roads that we should patrol. If we see someone in need, we pull their stuck car out of the ditch or other things for the people to have a good time. If you patrol, you are allowed to cut a tree and not have to buy a permit,
We are finished for the day about 4 pm. If you are interested, please sign up for as many days as you would like. A stock truck can make a big difference when pulling a stuck vehicle out of a sticky situation. It is really easy. If you have never been before, come out, we will help you get everything you need to get started.

Please sign up for the days you would like to patrol on the thread for the day.
Day 1 - 11/29 40 hours, 4 vehicles, 4 people
Day 2 - 11/30 30 hours, 2 Vehicles, 3 people
Day 3 - 12/06 30 hours, 2 Vehicles, 3 people
Day 4 - 12/07 50 hours, 3 Vehicles, 5 people
Day 5 - 12/13 54 hours, 4 vehicles, 6 people
Day 6 - 12/14 20 hours, 2 vehicles, 2 people
Day 7 - 12/20 50 hours, 3 vehicles, 5 people
Day 8 - 12/21 26 hours, 2 vehicles, 3 people

Total hours, 300 Total vehicles, 22 Total people 31

 

[raisinhell2]

I'm out for the season . 80 is getting a new power plant this winter..

 

[COS80]

Me too. Crippled.

 

[COS80]

Interior Department rolls out one dollar, one tree holiday savings on public lands​

WASHINGTON – The Department of the Interior today announced a holiday affordability effort that will help families save money, enjoy public lands and support wildfire prevention during the 2025 to 2026 winter season.

Beginning today, the Bureau of Land Management is reducing firewood and Christmas tree permit fees through Jan. 31, including reducing Christmas tree and firewood permits to only $1 per tree or cord. In addition, the Bureau is opening new cutting areas in overstocked woodlands to provide immediate price relief and expanded opportunities for American families to gather their own firewood and Christmas trees. The initiative delivers meaningful cost savings for families while promoting forest thinning and hazardous fuel reduction across millions of acres.

"Under President Trump, we are making Christmas affordable again," said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. "American families deserve real relief and savings during the holidays, and at Interior, we are making certain that they can heat their homes while keeping their traditions alive. The 'One Dollar, One Tree' initiative is a powerful example of how our public lands can deliver lasting benefits for the American people, making this season brighter and more affordable for all."

In line with President Donald J Trump’s mission to lower costs for all Americans, savings from these two programs are projected to deliver nearly $10 million in economic relief to families during the holiday season and help to reduce hazardous fuels on public land.

Effective today, the Bureau of Land Management will:

• Reduce fees for personal-use Christmas tree and firewood permits.
• Open new cutting areas in overstocked woodlands, prioritizing locations near communities, military bases, tribal areas and rural counties that benefit most from additional access.
• Increase household limits to up to 10 cords of firewood and up to three Christmas trees, with flexibility to remove caps in areas with abundant resources.

These steps are designed to provide immediate price relief and expand opportunities for families to gather their own firewood and Christmas trees, often in places that have not been accessible before.

Residents can find more information about the program and try to take advantage by contacting their local Bureau of Land Management office or by visiting forestproducts.blm.gov.

 

[COS80]

Looks like the closest areas to COS are all around Canon City. Texas Creek would make a fun tree outing in winter time!

https://forestproducts.blm.gov/miscapi/GetAttachment?attachmentid=864

 

[LCPilot]

This is the reply that I received from Jake Ellsworth who is the recreation contact for the Forest Service.

Hi everyone, The Christmas Tree sales program has drawn to a close. It was another very successful year. Looking forward to learning how many permits were sold when that information becomes available. Based on what we saw on the ground it was as busy as ever and with the nice weather many people made a whole day out of it. There was lots of thanks from the public to the PPRD for the continued tradition we support and hundreds of direct public contacts and conversations were made over the weekends.

I wanted to give a huge shout out to the folks that made this another great year and experience for our public. Special thanks to The Colorado Land Cruisers 4WD club! They volunteered over 300 personnel hours to support the program over the 8 weekend days that were worked. Mark Leeper worked all 8 weekend days of the sale and helped immensely with logistics throughout the month. It would not have been able to happen without him and his commitment to the program. Thanks to Steven Blackman and Kim Wilks for handling sales and helping set up everything behind the scenes this year. I also wanted to thank Joe Law and Jordan Risley for working weekends and putting up signs and spreading holiday cheer to the public. Thanks to Dan Borak and Jon Pfeiffer for working in a LEO capacity providing education and enforcement.

This is a very important program for our public as well as the district, I hope in the future we continue to have district support, grow involvement, and folks keep this tradition moving forward for many years to come.

Thanks all!

Jake Ellsworth Recreation Managment Specialist Forest Service PSICC, Pike National Forest, Pikes Peak Ranger District p: 719-687-9414 c: 719-225-0585 jacob.ellsworth@usda.gov