Firewood Collection Permits Again Available By Lottery

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Date: September 5, 2012
Contact: Kyle Patterson, (970) 586-1363

Permits are available by lottery to collect firewood generated from hazard tree removals and fuel reduction projects within Rocky Mountain National Park. Collection dates for west side firewood begins Friday, September 21 through October 3. Collection dates for east side firewood will vary based on location but the first collection period begins Monday October 1 and extends through Sunday October 14. Another collection period begins Wednesday October 10 and extends through Sunday October 28. Some wood collection zones will not be available for collection on weekends and some will be weekends only.  For east side permits, if additional wood is still available after the end of each collection period, additional names may be drawn from the lottery and more permits issued. Persons need only apply one time for a firewood permit; lottery draws will be made from this single pool of applicants.

A $20 non-refundable administrative fee will be charged for the permit to remove up to five cords of firewood on the east side. A $10 nonrefundable administrative fee will be charged for the permit to remove up to five cords of firewood on the west side. Permit holders have no guarantee for a total of 5 cords since the collection of wood is on a first-come, first-served basis. Those who collect early will be more assured of the quantity and quality of available wood as well as ease of access. Lottery winners for west side firewood should anticipate that Trail Ridge Road may be closed during the collection dates.      

Firewood collection sites vary based on location of firewood and will be provided to lottery winners when they pick up their permits. In some areas the firewood has not been cut into -more- manageable lengths and will require a chainsaw. Some areas will allow trailers and chainsaw use and others will not.     

To sign up for the lottery for a firewood permit (one entry per physical address/family), please email the following information to e-mail us by Wednesday, September 19, at 10:00 p.m. mountain time.

1) In the subject line of your email: Designate your desired collection area East or West, then your Last Name, then your First Name.  Example: East, Smith, John

2) In the body of your email: Your Name, Physical Address and Phone Number. Names selected for the lottery will be posted on the park's website Friday, September 21, at www.nps.gov/romo/parknews/lottery_results_firewood_permits.htm   

Lottery winners can obtain permits in person with a photo I.D. and proof of physical address at the Backcountry Office adjacent to the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center near Estes Park or at the Kawuneeche Visitor Center north of Grand Lake beginning Friday, September 21. Permits will be issued daily from 8:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Payment must be made with cash in the exact amount or a personal check. Permits not claimed and picked up within five days prior to the start of the collection period will be given to the next name on the list.        

Wood is primarily lodgepole and ponderosa pine. Some of the wood was previously inhabited with mountain pine beetles but enough time should have elapsed to allow the beetles to exit the wood.     

Permit holders will be authorized non-fee entry into the park for purposes of wood collection.  

To receive more information about Rocky Mountain National Park, please call the park's Information Office at 970-586-1206.



Last updated: February 24, 2015

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

1000 US Hwy 36
Estes Park, CO 80517

Phone:

970 586-1206
The Information Office is open year-round: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. daily in summer; 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Mondays - Fridays and 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Saturdays - Sundays in winter. Recorded Trail Ridge Road status: (970) 586-1222.

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