Requests for trees for fall distribution 2009 has ended. Please check back in the spring of 2010.

Boulder County Parks and Open Space is in the process of donating trees to local government agencies, Boulder County schools, and community-based nonprofits in Boulder County. We are currently not working with HOAs.

While Boulder County is donating the trees free of charge, there is a $35-$45 fee (depending on size) to pay an approved vendor to dig and ball each tree. Transportation is up to the receiving agency.

Contrary to incorrect news reports, the Parks and Open Space department is irrigating the property, taking good care of the trees, and has no plans to torch or bulldoze healthy trees.

Are you eligible?

Boulder County is determined not to financially impact the local tree growers and therefore is providing trees only to organizations that would not otherwise be able to purchase trees at this time.

The trees are available to:

• Boulder County municipalities and school districts
• Boulder County community-based nonprofits
• Neighboring communities affected by natural disasters (including the Town of Windsor, which recently incurred losses due to the tornado).

We are NOT currently offering trees to:

• Private homeowners
• Homeowners' Associations (HOAs)
• Nonprofits outside of Boulder County

If you think you meet the qualifications and would like to apply to receive trees through this program, please contact Cathy Thiltgen, Boulder County Parks and Open Space Arborist, at 303-678-6196 or cthiltgen@bouldercounty.org.
 

Background

In September 2008, Boulder County purchased the Cherry Creek Tree Farm, 73 acres located at the southwest corner of Highway 287 and Isabelle Road, as open space dedicated to the preservation of agricultural land.

With the purchase of the tree farm, the County inherited over 15,000 live trees in various states of health. There aren't adequate water rights on the property for proper irrigation of a tree farm. This is one of the reasons the tree farm has struggled to succeed at this location. The property's water rights will support hay or other lower-intensity crops on a majority of the parcel.

The priority for Parks and Open Space is to remove the trees and return the property to agricultural use. The following five goals direct the priorities:

• Maximizing the number of trees preserved
• Minimizing the financial impact on the County's tree growers
• Minimizing the ongoing maintenance liability the property presents in its current use
• Minimizing tree removal costs