El Paso County, CO Tree Protection: Tree Removal Permits (2026)

Tree removal in El Paso County differs from Front Range neighbors like Fort Collins or Boulder, which have full private-property tree protection. Colorado Springs City Code §4.7.106 regulates only street trees (in ROW) and park trees — removal requires City Forestry approval. Private-property trees in Colorado Springs generally do NOT need removal permits unless (a) in the Hillside Overlay (CSCC §7.3.603), (b) designated landmark tree, or (c) part of approved landscape plan. The Ponderosa Pine Preservation Zone — unofficial but enforced in Black Forest under El Paso County LDC §5.2.12 — requires tree conservation plans for developments. El Paso County Wildland-Urban Interface Code requires removal of dead/hazardous trees near structures (defensible space mandate). Dutch Elm Disease and Emerald Ash Borer monitoring is enforced by Colorado Springs Forestry — removal of infected elms and ash trees may be mandated at owner expense. Colorado Department of Agriculture quarantine rules apply. Mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) affected forests in 2000s-2010s drove large-scale thinning requirements. Street trees managed by Colorado Springs Forestry ($150-$500 permit fees for removal, replacement typically required).