Glenwood Springs – Christmas tree cutting permits will soon be available from all offices of the White River National Forest.

Christmas tree cutting is allowed in most areas on the White River National Forest with the following exceptions: wilderness areas, commercial timber sales, recreation and ski areas, administrative areas, Glenwood Canyon, and No Name Road (near Camp Hale). Maps showing where Christmas tree cutting is allowed are available at all offices where permits are sold. Permits cost $10 each and may be purchased with cash, check or money order. There is a limit of 10 permits per individual. The permits must be attached to the tree prior to cutting and must be left on the tree until it arrives at its final destination.

Information for the Summit County/Dillon Ranger District is to be released early next week. Originally the Forest Service believed the danger from beetle-killed trees was too great to allow cutting in Summit County, but District Ranger Jan Cutts said what they might do is allow an open permitting process, where people could cut trees anywhere. A decision on that will be made Monday or Tuesday, Cutts said.

Eagle/Holy Cross Ranger District – Permits will be available beginning Monday at both the Eagle Ranger Station, 125 W. 5th Street in Eagle, or at the Holy Cross Ranger Station, 24747 US Highway 24 in Minturn. Both the Eagle Ranger Station and the Holy Cross Ranger Station will be open Monday through Friday during normal business hours. The Minturn office will also be open Saturday Dec. 4, and Dec. 11 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Call (970) 328-6388 for additional information.

Aspen and Sopris Ranger Districts – Permits will be available beginning Monday at the Aspen Ranger Station located at 806 West Hallam Street in Aspen, and Sopris Ranger Station located at 620 Main Street in Carbondale. In both cases permits may be purchased Monday through Friday during normal office hours. Call (970) 925-3445 or 970-963-2266 for additional information.

Glenwood Springs – Christmas tree permits may be obtained at the White River Forest Supervisor’s Office, located at 900 Grand Avenue Monday through Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. beginning on Monday. Call (970) 945-2521 for additional information.