Cut-Your-Own Christmas Tree At Local State Park

GOLDEN, CO – Thinking about Christmas trees before Thanksgiving is jumping the gun. But here's a deal that you may want to pack away for December.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife will be offering a chance to cut your own "native Christmas tree" from a designated area in a state park near Golden starting Dec. 1. The price is right: A permit costs only $25 and can be used to cut up to two trees.

On Saturday, Dec. 1, Golden Gate Canyon State Park will host a Christmas Tree Cut and Holiday Open House. You can pick up a permit starting on Thursday, Nov. 13 at the park's visitor's center, or order over the phone by calling 303-582-3707. Tree selections include Douglas fir, Ponderosa pine, Lodge pole pine and Rocky Mountain juniper.

The cosy-warm visitor center will be selling hot drinks, cookies, candy canes and tree-cutters can get a 10 percent discount at the gift shop.

Show up between 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. and saw or axe away (only hand-cutting tools are allowed, no chainsaws or power saws allowed).

You will also be required to have a valid park pass for each vehicle, either an annual pass or a $7 daily pass.

"By cutting a Christmas tree, the permit holders will assist Golden Gate Canyon State Park in thinning overcrowded and dense vegetation," said Jason Clay, Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokesman in a press release." This selective thinning will improve the overall forest health and reduce the impacts of future wildfires."

Bring a few canned goods for the local food bank and create a new family holiday tradition.

Find out more by calling the Golden Gate Canyon State Park visitor center at 303-582-3707.

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