Programmatic Areas
The Colorado State Forest Service programmatic areas include forest management, outreach and education.
Forest Management
Forests, like most natural resources, require proper management to be healthy and productive. Forest management is the practical application of biological, physical, quantitative, managerial, economic, and social and policy principles to the regeneration, management, utilization and conservation of forests to meet specific goals and objectives while maintaining the productivity of the forest.
Forest management includes management for aesthetics, fish and wildlife, recreation, urban values, water, wilderness, wood products and other forest resource values.
Communities also have forests. Trees appear along streets and greenways, and in backyards and parks. Urban forests enhance the quality of human life by purifying air, modifying temperature extremes, reducing noise pollution, improving aesthetic appeal and raising real estate values. These forest communities also need to be managed and nurtured to maintain these values.
With an assortment of tools and alternatives, we can proactively manage our forests, protect and enhance water quality and quantity, increase habitat diversity for wildlife and increase the growth rate of trees. In addition, properly managed forests can provide income, reduce wildfire risk, help protect trees against insects and diseases, and even increase property values.
Working closely with state and federal land management agencies, our 17 field offices throughout Colorado help landowners, communities and other partners properly manage their forests for today and tomorrow.
The Colorado State Forest Service is the state’s primary resource for forestry information and assistance in Colorado.
Outreach & Education
Promoting public understanding of the role and value of Colorado’s forests and other natural resources is vital to the mission of the Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS). The CSFS is a non-regulatory agency, and our accomplishments are the direct result of our educational approach.
We develop scientifically sound messages and materials for use by personnel, partners and Colorado citizens. Our messages and materials are driven by our strategic priorities and are available across the state through the media, in-person consultation, informational sessions and events, electronically, and through CSFS authored publications.
Our Educational Approach
- Increases awareness and understanding of key forestry issues and the roles Colorado citizens can play in addressing those issues
- Helps Coloradans recognize the diverse environmental benefits forest ecosystems provide
- Motivates homeowners, landowners and communities to take positive action that will help them achieve their stewardship objectives
- Provides scientifically sound information to decision-makers so that they may respond appropriately to forestry issues
Through education and technical assistance, the CSFS focuses on helping landowners and communities accomplish sound forestry and wildfire mitigation practices on their land to achieve their stewardship objectives.