Forest Legacy Program
The Forest Legacy Program (FLP) is a federally funded and state-administered program that supports efforts to protect private forest lands that are environmentally, economically and socially critical.
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.
Continued development within and adjacent to Colorado’s forested areas poses an increasing threat to the integrity of our state’s valuable forest lands.
While local governments often guide development away from the most sensitive areas through traditional land use controls such as 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) is a federally funded and state-administered program that supports efforts to protect private forest lands that are environmentally, economically and socially critical. The program helps prevent fragmentation of our forests and preserves natural vistas for all to enjoy.
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 percent of program costs, with at least 25 percent coming from private, state or local sources. Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) funds, private funds, local land conservation organizations and others commonly partner to provide this funding match.
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 that transfer 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.
Seeking Landowners to Establish a Legacy
The Forest Legacy Program is currently seeking landowners who are interested in preserving their lands as working forests, farms and ranches. If you join the program, CSFS can help fund the creation of a management plan for your property, connect you to local non-profits to support you through the process, and fund many of the documents required to complete the project.
Each year, Colorado may fund up to $20 million in Forest Legacy Projects, which includes properties large and small. Are you ready to create your own forest legacy?
It is anticipated that the next round of funding for the Forest Legacy Program will be announced in the summer of 2025. Once details are available, CSFS will post the application and deadlines here.
For more information, contact Katie Rose Levin.
Colorado Forest Legacy Program Assessment
In June 2000, the Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) was designated by then-Gov. 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 forest land is at greatest risk of conversion to non-forest uses. The original AON was completed in 2001, with reviews and updates planned every five years.