‘Tis the season for hardcore Colorado Christmas revelers to chop down their own tree and haul it home along Interstate 70.

Options include Bureau of Land Management land, U.S. Forest Service areas and local business to legally cut down Christmas trees in Colorado until Dec. 25.

Metro Denver residents should anticipate at least a 90-minute drive to find do-it-yourself, fresh-cut Christmas trees.

BLM Christmas tree permits cost $8-$10, depending on where one decides to find their staple living room holiday decoration. Anyone can purchase permits at a local BLM office.

Colorado tree-cutting areas are scattered west of Denver near mountain towns on BLM land, according to a BLM map showing where Christmas tree cutting is permitted. 

Closest to Denver, near Tabernash north of Winter Park, are several Christmas tree harvest areas at Sheep Mountain and along Strawberry Road. Colorado mountain towns near harvesting areas also include Troublesome, Hot Sulphur Springs, Kremmling, Dotsero, Gypsum, New Castle and Grand Junction, according to BLM’s map.

BLM officials suggest bringing several items with: handsaw, eye protection, rope or twine, extra food, water, blankets, tire chains, a shovel, emergency supplies, maps and GPS, according to a news release.

“Make sure you are cutting a tree in an area where it’s allowed,” BLM officials said in the release.

Land management officials said to cut below the lowest live limb, leave stumps no higher than six inches and to avoid damaging other trees.

Tree cutters must attach a haul tag to the tree before removing it from BLM land and taking it home.

Those seeking assistance can find contact info on BLM’s website.

Christmas tree cutting permits are also available for certain areas in the Pike and San Isabel National Forests, according to federal recreation officials.

National forest tree cutting permits cost $10 or $20 per tree.

Metro Denver area residents looking for a pre-cut tree option can choose from the many lots run by businesses and charities that appear this time of year. The Neighborhood Christmas Tree Company lists lot locations in Denver, The Shops at Northfield, Broomfield, Aurora and Littleton. Nice Christmas Trees locations are in Denver, Aurora, Golden and Thornton. In addition, many nurseries offer pre-cut trees seasonally.

“After the holidays,” BLM officials said, “please dispose of your tree properly; many communities have compost collection sites for Christmas trees.”