Colorado is home to around 50 native species of trees, and some of them are not in the forests. They can be in parks, trails, neighborhoods, and commercial places. Because of their historical and economic value, the state has some rules that help determine their care.
Who Takes Care of the Trees in Colorado?
The law that governs tree management can differ among the cities and counties of the state. For example, in Colorado Springs, the City Forestry has the right to plants that grow in public spaces. These include the parkways and right-of-ways. They will handle the pest management, disease control, and watering. They also take care of the protection, trimming, cutting, and pruning. If they encroach into a residential or commercial property, the owner needs to inform the city.
However, there are times when you need industrial landscaping services in Colorado Springs. First, the trees grow on the private property. The owner of the land is the one responsible for their care. Second, a tree in a public space needs to be removed as soon as possible. The City Forestry might not have the time to attend to it, so you can call a company with a license to do it.
Employed tree experts will inspect for noncompliance upon complaint. However, they will also counsel you about the problematic tree. In other words, if you live within the boundaries of any city, you have to contact the member of your city council or tree board. On the other hand, if you live in an unincorporated division of your county, you have to consult your county commissioner’s office. In addition, you have to check if your municipality is certified under the Tree City USA program.
What Is the City Forester’s Permit?
If it is a “public tree,” you cannot uproot, prune, spray, or move it anytime you like. If you believe that the City Forestry cannot do the job, you need to apply for a City Forester’s Permit. You can let a licensed service inspect the tree and help you with filling out the form. You will indicate the tree service company, the work done, and the reason for work.
Is There a Penalty for Not Following Colorado Laws on Trees?
Under the common law, the maintenance of the trees rests on the owner. In other words, they can cut, prune, or remove them. However, there are limitations, and one of these is that you cannot cut a boundary tree knowingly. It is a class two misdemeanor, which means a jail time of three months to a year and a penalty of up to $1,000.
If you still have questions about how to take care of Colorado trees, you can talk to the local forestry service or landscaping companies. The last thing that you want is spending time in jail or having an ugly dispute with a neighbor. If you feel uncertain, you can always seek the help of professionals or experts. Doing so will help you avoid further complications.
