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Free Firewood Collection Program at Horsetooth Mountain Open Space

Free Firewood Collection Program at Horsetooth Mountain Open Space

For free firewood collection please read the requirements below and sign up.

Free firewood is available to the public in return for assisting with moving firewood bolts (weighing up to 50 pounds) for one hour prior to loading and hauling firewood away. This wood is cut in "fireplace" lengths. Participants must also assist in loading all other trucks in the group. Firewood is available for pickup on weekends October 24th through December 20th, weather permitting. You must sign up for one of the available time slots. Reservations will only be taken through the link below. Attendance is limited to 12 vehicles each day.

Firewood collection begins promptly at 10:00 AM Saturdays and Sundays, and participants must have a printed receipt of signup to enter. Gates to the firewood collection area will be closed and locked after participants enter, so it is important to be on time.

Participants will meet at the Soderberg Trailhead to Horsetooth Mountain Open Space for entrance to the park. The trailhead is located west of Fort Collins at 3901 Shoreline Drive.

Other Requirements:

  • You may sign up for as many time slots as you like, but a "no show" may be dropped from future dates.
  • Only one vehicle and one trip per time slot is permitted.
  • Each free firewood collection will be supervised by an employee of Larimer County or a person designated by Larimer County. All instructions by this supervisor must be followed. Failure to follow the supervisor's instructions or failure to adhere to the requirements of the Free Firewood Collection Program may result in not being allowed to participate for that day, being asked to leave or being banned for the duration of the program.
  • After an orientation all vehicles must be escorted by a county representative from Soderberg Trail Head parking lot several miles up Horsetooth Mountain to a firewood collection area and back to Soderberg Trail Head parking lot. Anyone arriving after the group has left Soderberg Trail Head parking lot may not collect firewood that day.
  • No truck will be allowed to leave until all trucks are loaded.
  • The roads to the firewood collection areas are very steep, narrow, rough, possibly slick and proceed along precipitous slopes that drop away for several hundred feet. Anyone not familiar with treacherous mountain driving should not attempt it. Anyone exhibiting careless or unsafe driving will not be allowed to continue.
  • Only four-wheel drive vehicles in good operating condition with adequate tires will be allowed.
  • Trucks must be no more than 7 feet wide and no more than 22 feet long.
  • No trailers are permitted.
  • Firewood may not be loaded above the sides of the truck.
  • Appropriate clothing for the existing weather, sunscreen and drinking water are advised. Closed toed footwear, long pants, long sleeved shirts and gloves are mandatory.
  • No chain saws or power equipment of any kind are permitted.
  • No dogs are allowed.
  • No children under the age of 14 are allowed.
  • All participants must sign a Volunteer Agreement.

***Appointments are contingent upon the weather. In the event of inclement weather or unsafe road conditions you will receive notification of cancellation via email at least two hours prior to the start time. Please check emails before leaving to collect firewood.***

If you cannot make a reserved time slot please cancel by email as soon as possible (see link below-no phone calls please).

Volunteer Agreement

Sign up for one of the time slots

Cancel a reserved time slot