Permits are available by lottery to collect firewood generated from hazard tree removals on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park near Grand Lake. Collection dates begin Tuesday, Sept. 27, through October 31. Firewood collection times may vary based on location of firewood. A $10 nonrefundable administrative fee will be charged for the permit to remove up to five cords of firewood on the west side. Up to 8 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. Lottery winners should anticipate that Trail Ridge Road may be closed during the collection dates. If permits are not picked up by October 8, the next person on the waiting list will be contacted.
Firewood collection sites vary and will be provided to lottery winners when they pick up their permit. In most areas the firewood has been cut into manageable lengths but some material will require a chainsaw. Trailers are allowed in the collection areas.
To sign up for the lottery for a firewood permit (one entry per physical address), please email the following information to ROMO_Firewood@nps.gov by Friday, Sept. 23, at 10:00 p.m. mountain time.
1) In the subject line of your email: Your first and last name only (required)
2) In the body of your email: Name, Physical Address and Phone Number
Names selected for the lottery will be posted on the park's website Tuesday, Sept. 27, 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 September 27. 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 lodgepole pine. Most 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
