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Colorado, 2026 season, 7 offices

Colorado Firewood Permits 2026: Prices, Seasons and Rules

Seven national forests in Colorado sell personal use firewood cutting permits, most of them around $2 to $5 a cord with a $20 minimum, and the state sets no firewood quarantine but asks people to burn wood where they buy it.

7
Offices selling permits
national forest and BLM
$2 to $5
Price per cord
4 priced by the cord
Advisory
Bringing wood in
Colorado Parks and Wildlife
3
Pests named
emerald ash borer, spongy moth
Office by office

Where to buy a firewood permit in Colorado

7 offices in Colorado sell a personal use firewood permit. A cord runs $2 to $5 depending on which office you buy from.

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests

2026 season

USDA Forest Service

Price
$5 per cord
Minimum
a four-cord minimum ($20)
Household limit
Each household is allowed to cut and remove up to 20 cords per year
Wood you may cut
standing DEAD and DOWN trees
Where to buy
in person at a ranger district office
Firewood Permits are sold for $5 per cord with a four-cord minimum ($20) and a 20-cord maximum ($100).
Firewood, Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests, USDA Forest Service, read September 22, 2026. Read it at the source

Rules on this permit

Only standing dead and down trees may be cut.

The cutting and removal of standing DEAD and DOWN trees for firewood is permitted
Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. Read it at the source

Live trees are off limits.

The cutting of LIVE trees for firewood is prohibited
Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. Read it at the source

You have to be 18 and show a license to buy the permit.

To purchase a firewood cutting permit, you must be 18 years of age and present a valid drivers license.
Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. Read it at the source

Pike and San Isabel National Forests, Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands

Permit on request

USDA Forest Service

Price
On the office page
Wood you may cut
standing dead or naturally fallen trees
Cutting season
Sold on request
Where to buy
in person at a ranger district office
Contact the office to determine permit availability and cost per cord, as they may vary by firewood area.
Firewood Permits, Pike and San Isabel National Forests, Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands, USDA Forest Service, read September 22, 2026. Read it at the source

Rules on this permit

Dead or fallen only, everywhere on the forest.

Only standing dead or naturally fallen trees may be harvested forest-wide.
Pike and San Isabel National Forests, Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands. Read it at the source

Cut stumps low.

All stumps shall be cut to less than 6 inches high.
Pike and San Isabel National Forests, Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands. Read it at the source

A working spark arrestor is required on a gas chainsaw.

Gas-powered chainsaws used must be equipped with a spark arrestor device that is properly installed, maintained and in effective working order.
Pike and San Isabel National Forests, Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands. Read it at the source

Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland

2026 season

USDA Forest Service

Price
On the office page
Where to buy
online through the Forest Service E-Permits system
Permit applications for the 2026 season are now open. Fuelwood permits are available for purchase year-round through the E-Permits website. All permits are now valid for up to one year from date of issuance.
Forest Products, Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland, USDA Forest Service, read September 22, 2026. Read it at the source

Rules on this permit

A permit is required before you cut anything beyond incidental campfire use.

A permit for forest product collection must be issued before harvesting any firewood, transplants, post and poles, mushrooms, and other forest products; except for the small amounts used for campfires or gathered casually while visiting the Forests and Grassland and categorized as “incidental use.”
Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland. Read it at the source

Not every dead tree qualifies, and you must check a standing dead tree for wildlife first.

Trimming dead limbs from live trees is not permitted on the forest, and standing dead trees may only be cut if they meet specific standards. Before cutting any dead tree check it carefully for signs of wildlife habitation.
Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland. Read it at the source

Wilderness and developed recreation sites are closed to cutting.

Forest products may not be cut or gathered in wilderness areas or developed recreation sites including: campgrounds, picnic areas, summer home groups, trailheads or private property.
Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland. Read it at the source

The price is not one number, it depends on product, wood and district.

The cost of a permit varies according to the product, type of wood to be harvested and the district it is harvested on.
Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland. Read it at the source

Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland firewood permit page

San Juan National Forest

2026 season

USDA Forest Service

Price
Online permits cost $2 per cord, and are sold locally at vendors and USFS offices for $4 per cord.
Minimum
$20 minimum purchase online, $10 minimum at participating vendors, $20 minimum at Forest Service offices
Household limit
A maximum of 10 cords can be purchased per year per household for personal use.
Wood you may cut
dead and downed firewood
Cutting season
May 1 to Dec 31
Where to buy
online through the Forest Service E-Permit system, in person at a Forest Service office, participating local vendors
Online permits cost $2 per cord, and are sold locally at vendors and USFS offices for $4 per cord.
Firewood Permits Available for The San Juan National Forest, USDA Forest Service, read September 22, 2026. Read it at the source

Rules on this permit

Print the permit and carry it; it no longer goes on the load.

Permits purchased online and in store must be printed on paper and carried to the field to be valid. Permits are no longer required to be attached to the firewood load.
San Juan National Forest. Read it at the source

Dead and downed wood only, for personal use.

A permit allows firewood cutters to gather dead and downed firewood from the San Juan NF for personal use prior to December 31.
San Juan National Forest. Read it at the source

An approved spark arrester on the chainsaw is required.

Firewood cutters are required to have their chainsaw equipped with an approved spark arrester when cutting wood and it is recommended they carry an axe or shovel.
San Juan National Forest. Read it at the source

San Juan National Forest firewood permit page

White River National Forest

Permit on request

USDA Forest Service

Price
On the office page
Wood you may cut
dead standing and/or dead down trees
Cutting season
Sold on request
Where to buy
in person at a ranger district office
Permits may be purchased at Ranger District offices.
Firewood Cutting Permits, White River National Forest, USDA Forest Service, read September 22, 2026. Read it at the source

Rules on this permit

Dead standing or dead down only, and keep stumps under a foot.

Cut dead standing and/or dead down trees ONLY and leave stumps less than 12 inches high.
White River National Forest. Read it at the source

Big wood has to be bucked short.

Wood larger than 7 inches in diameter must be cut in 8-foot lengths or less
White River National Forest. Read it at the source

Carry your letter of authorization while cutting and hauling.

Keep your letter of authorization with you while cutting and transporting firewood.
White River National Forest. Read it at the source

Stay close to an existing road with a vehicle.

Motorized vehicles & equipment are may only be used 300 feet or less from an existing Forest Service road.
White River National Forest. Read it at the source

Rio Grande National Forest

Permit on request

USDA Forest Service

Price
$2 per cord
Minimum
$20 minimum purchase
Household limit
20 cord maximum per year per household
Wood you may cut
Dead or down only
Cutting season
Dec 31
Where to buy
online through the Forest Service E-Permits system, in person at a forest office
Personal use: Dead or down only, $2.00 per cord, 20 cord maximum per year per household, $20.00 minimum purchase.
Forest Products Permits, Rio Grande National Forest, USDA Forest Service, read September 22, 2026. Read it at the source

Rules on this permit

The permit runs out at the end of the calendar year.

Permits expire December 31st of each year.
Rio Grande National Forest. Read it at the source

Any forest office can sell you one, but call first because firewood permits are not always available.

Permits may be purchased at any of our forest offices.
Rio Grande National Forest. Read it at the source

Call before you drive out.

Services at each office may be limited on a daily basis. For example, we may not be able to issue firewood permits at all times. We recommend calling the office you plan to visit BEFORE making the trip.
Rio Grande National Forest. Read it at the source

Rio Grande National Forest firewood permit page

Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland

Permit on request

USDA Forest Service

Price
$5 per cord
Minimum
a minimum of 4 cords, or a minimum $20 purchase
Household limit
10 cords are allowed, per year, per permittee
Wood you may cut
unmarked standing dead or down trees
Cutting season
Sold on request
Where to buy
online, in person at a ranger district office
Firewood permits are purchased with a minimum of 4 cords, $5 per cord, or a minimum $20 purchase and 10 cords are allowed, per year, per permittee.
Forest Products Industry (non Timber), Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland, USDA Forest Service, read September 22, 2026. Read it at the source

Rules on this permit

Unmarked standing dead or down only, and an evergreen counts as dead only when every needle has gone.

Cut only unmarked standing dead or down trees. For an evergreen tree to be considered dead, ALL needles must be red, brown or absent.
Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland. Read it at the source

Stumps no higher than a foot.

Stumps should be as close to the ground as possible or no more than 12 inches high.
Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland. Read it at the source

Leave the wildlife trees standing.

Do not cut standing dead trees that have bird cavities, nests, broken top, trunk holes or any signs of wildlife.
Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland. Read it at the source

Stay back from campgrounds and water.

Within 100 feet of developed areas, including campgrounds, picnic areas, recreation sites and other buildings
Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland. Read it at the source

A working spark arrester on the saw is required.

An approved, working spark arrester system is required on the chainsaw.
Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland. Read it at the source

Vehicles may leave the road only 300 feet to gather wood, and no machinery may do the loading.

Motorized travel up to 300 feet from the centerline of open Forest Service Roads, as identified on the current Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) , is permitted to gather firewood, but remember do not damage the vegetation.
Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland. Read it at the source
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Moving firewood

Can you bring firewood into Colorado?

Colorado asks rather than forbids: buy your wood close to the fire you will burn it on. The rule is written by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and it sits below in its own words.

Advisory

Colorado has no statewide ban, and asks that you buy firewood where you burn it.

Colorado's wildlife agency asks people to use Colorado wood, buy it near the campground and burn it where they bought it, because moving firewood is how emerald ash borer and other pests travel.

Agency
Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Pests named
emerald ash borer, spongy moth, Japanese beetle
Firewood should be burned in the same area where it was purchased and should not be transported to other areas in Colorado.
Forest Pests, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, read September 22, 2026. Read it at the source

What the rule says

Use wood from Colorado where you can.

It is recommended that people use firewood from Colorado whenever possible.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Read it at the source

Buy it near where you are camping.

When camping, people should try to buy firewood near their destination campground, to help prevent transporting pests elsewhere.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Read it at the source

Burn it where you bought it, and do not haul it around the state.

Firewood should be burned in the same area where it was purchased and should not be transported to other areas in Colorado.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Read it at the source

Moving firewood is how these pests spread.

Humans have further spread them by moving firewood around the country. This can start new infestations hundreds of miles from the site of origin and destroy entire populations of trees.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Read it at the source

The insects and diseases named in the Colorado rule are emerald ash borer, spongy moth and Japanese beetle. A beetle covers a few hundred yards in a season on its own wings, and several hundred miles in an afternoon in the bed of a pickup, which is the whole reason the rule exists.

A slender metallic green beetle about half an inch long resting on pale cracked tree bark
The emerald ash borer, photographed by USDA Plant Protection and Quarantine. It flies only a short way on its own; a load of untreated firewood carries it as far as the truck goes, which is why more states name it in their firewood rules than any other pest. “Plant Protection and Quarantine (34954841290)”, APHIS.gov, Public domain
When to cut

Firewood cutting season in Colorado

Each office sets its own window, and most of them close it when fire danger rises or the roads soften. The dates those offices have posted:

  • San Juan National ForestMay 1 to Dec 31
  • Rio Grande National ForestDec 31

Offices close their gates for weather and fire restrictions inside these windows, so the office’s own page is the one to check the week you go.

Nearby

What a cord costs in the states next door

A permit is only good on the land the office manages, so a cheaper cord across the line still has to obey whatever Colorado says about firewood arriving. The nearest states posting a price by the cord:

  1. Arizona$1 to $5
  2. New Mexico$2 to $20
  3. Nebraska$5
  4. Utah$5 to $6.25
  5. Wyoming$5 to $7

Colorado firewood permit questions

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Firewood permits in other states

Colorado heating oil and propane pricesWhat a gallon costs this winter, and how that compares with a cord.First snow in ColoradoWhen the first measurable snow usually falls, city by city.Colorado Christmas tree permitsThe other permit the same ranger district sells each winter.Firewood permits by stateEvery price by the cord in one table, with the rule on moving wood.
An open pole woodshed in a spruce clearing, one bay filled with stacked cordwood, a hydraulic log splitter in the foreground
An Alaska woodshed in summer with the winter stacked and the splitter still out. A cord is a stack four feet by four feet by eight feet, and that is the unit nearly every permit is priced in. “Alaska woodshed”, Keith Parker, CC BY-SA 2.0

Compiled September 22, 2026 from Firewood, Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests, USDA Forest Service and the other agency pages linked beside each quote above. Prices, seasons and quarantine boundaries change, so the agency’s own page is the one to read before you load a truck. Every state is in the national firewood permit guide.