Tree Replacement Requirements: Colorado Springs vs Manitou Springs
How do tree replacement requirements rules compare between Colorado Springs, CO and Manitou Springs, CO?
Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs have similar restriction levels.
Colorado Springs, CO
El Paso County
Colorado Springs requires tree replacement primarily in the context of development projects. The Unified Development Code mandates landscaping and tree planting requirements for new development and redevelopment, including replacement when existing trees are removed during construction. Street trees removed for development must be replaced at the developer's expense. The city's Forestry Division maintains standards for tree species selection appropriate to the semi-arid climate and elevation. Residential homeowners are encouraged but generally not required to replace privately removed trees.
View full Colorado Springs rules →Manitou Springs, CO
El Paso County
Colorado Springs requires 1:1 to 3:1 replacement for permitted street-tree and development-plan tree removals under CSCC §4.7.107. Minimum 2-inch caliper. Approved species list emphasizes drought-tolerant, non-invasive natives. Fee-in-lieu to the City Tree Fund available at $350-$500 per inch DBH.
View full Manitou Springs rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Colorado Springs | Manitou Springs |
|---|---|---|
| Development Projects | Tree replacement required when trees removed | - |
| Street Trees | Must be replaced at developer's expense | - |
| Residential | Replacement encouraged but not required | - |
| Species Selection | Climate-appropriate species per Forestry standards | - |
| UDC Landscaping | Tree planting requirements for new development | - |
| Ratio | - | 1:1 to 3:1 |
| Min Caliper | - | 2 inch B&B |
| Fee-in-Lieu | - | $350-$500 per inch |
| Approved | - | Bur Oak, Honeylocust, Ponderosa |
| Prohibited | - | Ash, Russian Olive |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Colorado Springs FAQ
Do I have to replace a tree I remove on my property?
Residential homeowners are generally not required to replace privately removed trees. However, development projects must comply with UDC landscaping requirements, which include tree replacement when existing trees are removed during construction.
What trees grow well in Colorado Springs?
The City Forestry Division maintains a list of recommended tree species suited to the semi-arid climate and 6,035-foot elevation. Drought-tolerant species like Pinon pine, Austrian pine, and various native species are commonly recommended.
Manitou Springs FAQ
Can I plant ash trees as replacements?
No. Emerald Ash Borer quarantine (active in El Paso County since 2023) prohibits planting new Fraxinus species. Approved alternatives include Bur Oak, Chinkapin Oak, Kentucky Coffeetree, and native Ponderosa Pine.
What's the fee-in-lieu cost for a large tree?
Colorado Springs charges $350-$500 per inch DBH removed. A mature 24-inch tree would trigger $8,400-$12,000 fee-in-lieu to the City Tree Fund. Most property owners choose on-site replacement at 2:1 ratio instead.
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