Permits are available by lottery to collect firewood generated from hazard tree removals within Rocky Mountain National Park. Collection dates begin Saturday, September 10 through October 31. Firewood collection times will vary based on location of firewood. Some locations will not be available for collection on weekends. A $20 non-refundable administrative fee will be charged for the permit to remove up to five cords of firewood on the east side. Up to 40 permits will be issued. 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.
Firewood collection sites vary and will be provided to lottery winners when they pick up their permit. In most areas the firewood has not been cut into 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) please e-mail the following information by Tuesday, September 6, at 10:00 p.m. mountain time.
1) In the subject line of your email: Your first and last name only 2) In the body of your e-mail: Name, Physical Address and Phone Number
Names selected for the lottery will be posted on the park's website Thursday, September 8, 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 beginning September 10. 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.
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.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
