Jennifer Churchill, Golden. Start a new family holiday tradition this year by cutting a native Christmas tree from a forest just 30 minutes from the Denver metropolitan area! The weekend of December 6 & 7, Golden Gate Canyon State Park will hold a Christmas Tree Cut and Holiday Open House.

You can warm up at the Visitor Center with hot cider, cookies and candy canes, and save 10% on unique presents from our gift shop! Also, in the spirit of giving, canned goods will be collected for the local food bank to help those in need.

Starting at 9 a.m. Monday, November 10, Golden Gate Canyon State Park will offer a limited number of permits for cutting a Christmas tree in selected areas of the park. Permits can be purchased for either Saturday, December 6, or Sunday, December 7.

The tree cutting permits will be available for purchase in person at the Golden Gate Canyon State Park Visitor Center, or by phone, using a credit card for payment, by calling (303) 582-3707. Permits will be sold from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, while supplies last. The permit cost is $25 per tree and each person is allowed up to 4 permits.

Visitors must check in at the Visitor Center to pick up their permits on their selected permit date, prior to cutting their tree. A valid park pass is required for each vehicle; either an annual parks pass or a $7 daily pass, which can be purchased at the Visitor Center. The permit is valid rain or snow, and no refunds will be given for bad weather.

Areas for both 2-wheel and 4-wheel drive vehicles will be available and some hiking will be required. Permit holders with high-clearance 4-wheel drive vehicles can use the pre-selected backcountry area and, in the case of bad weather, must have chains available for use. Access to the backcountry area will be limited to 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. All other vehicles will be required to stay in the designated parking areas along the main park roadway. Access to these areas will be available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Trees must be cut with hand tools, such as a handsaw or an axe. Chainsaws and power saws are strictly prohibited. Tree selections include Douglas fir, Ponderosa pine, Lodgepole pine, and Rocky Mountain juniper.

By cutting a Christmas tree, the permit holders will assist Golden Gate Canyon State Park in thinning overcrowded and dense vegetation. This selective thinning will improve the overall forest health and reduce the impacts of future wildfires.

For additional information, please contact the Visitor Center at 303-582-3707.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife manages 42 state parks, more than 300 state wildlife areas, all of Colorado's wildlife, and a variety of outdoor recreation. For more information go to cpw.state.co.us.