Colorado Springs, CO Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)

Colorado Springs City Forestry requires that trees be pruned to maintain at least 14 feet of clearance over streets and 8 feet of clearance over sidewalks. According to the City's Forestry guidance, homeowners are responsible for maintaining shrubs, weeds, and landscaping in the city right of way, and homeowners are responsible for maintaining shrubs or weeds in alleys. The City does not operate a routine, scheduled pruning program citywide; instead it responds to citizen requests, and as Forestry's budget allows it runs a Tree Pruning Program in limited neighborhoods to raise low branches for street and sidewalk clearance, stop-sign and corner/intersection visibility, and healthy tree structure. A Tree Service License from the City Clerk is required for commercial tree contractors operating within the city. Property owners must keep adjoining street trees clear of the travel way and walkway; failure to do so can be enforced as a code violation or abated by the City.