Colorado Forest Legacy Program

Continued development of the Colorado's forested areas poses an increasing threat to maintaining the integrity of our state's valuable forest lands. Intact forest lands supply timber products, improve wildlife habitat, increase soil and watershed protection, enhance aesthetics, and enrich recreational opportunities. However, as these areas are fragmented and disappear, so do the benefits they provide. While local governments often guide development away from the most sensitive areas through traditional land use controls (like zoning and performance standards), sometimes these measures are not sufficient to fully protect the forested component of our natural resource base.

The Forest Legacy Program (FLP), a federal-funded and state-administered program, supports efforts to protect private forest lands that are environmentally, economically, and socially critical. The Colorado Forest Legacy Program is a partnership between Colorado and the USDA Forest Service to identify and help conserve environmentally important forests from conversion to non-forest uses. The Federal government may fund up to 75% of program costs, with at least 25% coming from private, state, or local sources. Colorado GoCo funds, private funds, local land conservation organizations, and others commonly partner to provide this funding match.

The Forest Legacy Program helps prevent fragmentation of our forests and preserves natural vistas for all to enjoy.

To maximize the public benefits it achieves, the program focuses on the acquisition of partial interests in privately owned forest lands (conservation easements). It encourages and supports acquisition of conservation easements (legally binding agreements transferring a negotiated set of property rights from one party to another) without removing the property from private ownership. Most FLP conservation easements restrict development, require sustainable forestry practices, and protect other values.

In June of 2000, the Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) was designated by Governor Bill Owens as Colorado's lead agency for the Forest Legacy Program. The CSFS contracted with Western Environment and Ecology, Inc., a Littleton consulting firm, to conduct a statewide Assessment of Need (AON). This assessment identified segments of the state where private forestland is at greatest risk of conversion to non-forest uses. The original AON was completed in 2001, with reviews and updates planned every 5 years. Download the Colorado Forest Legacy Program State-Wide Assessment of Need (3.7 MB PDF).

In 2005, Congress approved 1.5 million dollars to fund purchase of a conservation easement covering a portion of the Banded Peaks Ranch through the Colorado Forest Legacy Program. The ranch is located in the San Juan Mountains south-east of Pagosa Springs, Colorado. When completed, the purchase of this easement will be the third Colorado Forest Legacy Program project to help conserve and protect private forest lands.

Previous Colorado Forest Legacy Program easement purchases protect a total of 541 acres under two ownerships: one in Clear Creek County near Interstate 70 and the other in Douglas County in sight of Interstate 25.

Contact the Forest Legacy Program Manager at (970) 491-6303 for more information.

Download the 2008 Colorado Forest Legacy Program Application (120 KB PDF)

Tree Farm

A tree farm is a tract of privately owned land that is voluntarily dedicated by its owner to the growing of renewable resources, while protecting environmental benefits and increasing public understanding of sustainable forestry.

The Colorado Tree Farm Program is part of the American Tree Farm System, a program of the American Forest Foundation. The ATFS is a privately funded, national tree growing effort encouraging forest management on private lands. Other forest certification organizations exist, but the American Tree Farm System is the oldest and largest forest certification program in the US.

Learn more about the Tree Farm Program. (368 KB PDF)

Visit the Colorado Tree Farmers website.

Homesite Assessment

Have you ever had questions about how to best manage and care for the trees on your property? Is your home is adequately protected in the event of a wildfire? Do you need help assessing the risk of mountain pine beetle or dwarf mistletoe infestations?

CSFS District Foresters are available to assist homeowners and landowners with these questions and more. A forester will visit your land and examine your trees for disease, defensible space for wildland fire, and overall health. They can make recommendations for disposing of diseased trees, for preventative measures available to safeguard your trees, how to keep your trees healthy and reduce their risk of disease, and for mitigation measures to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire.

For more information or to schedule a homesite assessment, contact your local Colorado State Forest Service district office.