Colorado State Forest Service

08/28/2026

On Aug. 1, we celebrated Colorado's 150th anniversary, so it only seems appropriate that the August Tree of the Month is our state tree, the Colorado Blue Spruce (𝘗𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘢 𝘱𝘶𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘴).

This conifer is a native Colorado tree, usually found between 6,000 and 11,500 feet, where they often live near mountain streams. These majestic trees grow up to 115 feet tall!

Warning: Blue spruce needles are about 1 inch long and sharp! So to them in the forests, look for brown, 2-4 inch long cones and bluish sharp needles.



📷CSFS

08/28/2026

🔥We're hiring permanent wildfire positions!🔥
Dates to Apply: 8/24/2026 - 9/22/2026
Apply through www.USAJobs.gov

Whether thinning a pine forest or protecting communities from wildfire, people who work in wildland fire have to think on their feet and work as a team. If this sounds like you, visit our website to see the different opportunities available on the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/arp/working-with-us/careers

08/27/2026

This summer our foresters worked with Northern Water, Loveland Fire Rescue Authority and other partners to reduce wildfire risk in the Dry Creek watershed near Carter Lake and the recently built Chimney Hollow Reservoir. They completed thinning work on 60 acres, and Phase 2 next year will occur on 150 acres.

Collaborative forest management works!

Check out this video explaining the project.

Credit: Eric Brown, Northern Water

Phase 1 of the Chimney Hollow/Carter Lake Watershed Protection Project strategically thinned 60 acres of dense ponderosa pine, a crucial activity to protect water quality.

08/26/2026

Five years ago, we launched the Colorado Strategic Wildfire Action Program (COSWAP) to help communities reduce wildfire risk through collaborative, cross-boundary projects. Since 2021, COSWAP has invested more than $47.5 million in 141 projects benefiting 171 communities across 30 Colorado counties.

Together with partners, they have helped treat more than 16,400 acres of high-priority landscapes, strengthened watershed protection, expanded Colorado's wildfire mitigation workforce, and leveraged nearly $13.8 million in additional partner funding.

The new COSWAP 5 Year Impact Report shares how these investments are helping protect communities, watersheds and critical infrastructure across Colorado. Find the full report, explore project maps and learn about future funding opportunities by visiting our website: https://dnr.colorado.gov/colorado-releases-coswap-five-year-impact-report

08/24/2026

Colorado State University’s Fort Collins campus is a standout example of trees in urban and community spaces and serves as a hub for over 30,000 students, plus many more faculty and staff.

Today is the first day of school for all those Rams! Welcome back, and make sure to take some time to see the campus trees.

A walk around CSU’s Fort Collins campus reveals how urban and community trees are intertwined with our lives.

08/21/2026

We're hiring! Come work with us. We're looking to fill several positions right now:

🏡Urban and community forestry program specialist
💻GIS analyst
🌲Lead project forester (2 positions)
📋Northwest Area manager



https://csfs.colostate.edu/employment/
📷 CSFS

08/19/2026

We use drones in multiple ways here at the CSFS! From forest monitoring to storytelling to data collection, drones complement our work to care for .



📷CSFS

08/17/2026

Learn more about the Watershed Wildfire Protection Group, formed to identify hazards to water supplies from wildfires in Colorado. This group's vision is to protect Colorado water supplies and critical infrastructure from catastrophic wildfire and other threats by maintaining healthy, resilient watersheds through collaboration, implementation, leveraging and education.

Colorado's headwaters play a crucial role in meeting our nation's need for fresh water. Our state and 18 others derive their water supply from Colorado's high-country watersheds.

08/12/2026

We’ve seen a lot of interest in the 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗼'𝘀 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱 this week, and with good reason! Wildfires have burned more than 200,000 acres in Colorado this summer, and landowners are anxious to replace their burned trees.

However, fire recovery takes time, so let’s make sure we’re all doing the right things to most efficiently reforest Colorado.

🗓 Replant at the appropriate time. For the best success, it is typically recommended 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘢𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘸𝘰 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘴 before planting trees in fire scars due to soil and site recovery conditions improving over time.

📞Contact your local CSFS Field Office for the best information about replacing your trees, picking the right species for planting, timing, and for scheduling potential site visits with our staff for the best recommendations for your property.

💸RCFF is donor-funded! The best way we can provide seedlings for replanting the right tree, right place, right time is by making a donation now. Every $2 donation to the fund pays for one seedling!

https://csfs.colostate.edu/seedling-tree-nursery/restoring-colorados-forests-fund-program/

Beulah Colorado News and Events


📷CSFS