On Feb. 14, 1955, the Colorado General Assembly passed House Bill No. 10 that created the modern Colorado State Forest Service. At the time, the new agency employed seven employees in three districts. Fast forward 70 years, and the CSFS has about 170 employees in 18 field offices and several satellite offices across the state to serve Colorado’s residents and communities.
Video: Amy Bulger, CSFS
The CSFS mission is to achieve stewardship of Colorado’s diverse forest environments for the benefit of present and future generations. We do this in many ways:
- Manage forests to reduce wildfire risk (and LiveWildfireReady!), improve wildlife habitat, protect outdoor recreation, ensure clean drinking water for millions of Coloradans, and enhance forest health
- Grow seedling trees in the nursery to help Colorado replant after floods and wildfire
- Sponsor internships that give valuable work experience to university students
- Provide marketing and economic assistance to wood products businesses
- Complete research that demonstrates the value of keeping forests as forests
- Manage grant programs that help residents, communities and partners improve forest health and reduce wildfire risk
- Monitor forest health and assist landowners to address concerns
- Advise Colorado towns and cities on their urban trees
Colorado’s forests, just like the mountains, sunshine and outdoor recreation, are key aspects of Colorado’s identity. Riparian areas filled with cottonwoods on the Eastern Plains, ponderosa pine and mixed conifer stands along the Front Range and the diverse forest types on the Western Slope all require specific care and conditions to thrive.
Colorado State Forest Service slideshow
