4 FORESTRY IN COLORADO 



many cases it has degenerated into a mere program in which trees 

 are the subject for recitations, essays, or other subjects of like 

 nature. It is doubtful if at the present time the observance of this 

 day is doing what it ought in the stimulation of an interest in the 

 economic side of the question for which it was originated. 



Further recognition of a forestry problem in Colorado is 

 shown by the provisions in our State constitution : ( i ) for the pro- 

 tection of the forests upon state lands; and (2) the encouraging of 

 tree planting on private lands through tax exemption laws. 



1. PRESERVATION OF FORESTS. The general assembly shall 

 enact laws in order to prevent the destruction of, and to keep in 

 good preservation, the forests upon the lands of the state, or upon 

 lands of the public domain, the control of which shall be conferred 

 by congress upon the state. (Constitution, Art. XVIII., Sec. 6). 



2. LAND EXEMPT FROM INCREASE TAX. The general assem- 

 bly may provide that the increase in the value of private lands caused 

 by the planting of hedges, orchards and forests thereon, shall not, 

 for a limited time to be fixed by law, be taken into account in 

 assessing such lands for taxation. (Constitution, Art. XVIIL, Sec. 



STATE FORESTRY ASSOCIATION ORGANIZED. The importance 

 of the forests at the head waters of our mountain streams in conserv- 

 ing and regulating the stream flow and the bearing which this was 

 believed to have upon the supply of water for irrigation was rec- 

 ognized at an early date. Serious inroads had already been made 

 upon the forest resources of the state through the practice of de- 

 structive lumbering and especially by the ravages of fire. Not only 

 were the forests themselves in grave danger of extermination, but 

 it seemed that one of the most important and rapidly growing in- 

 dustries of the state, that of agriculture by irrigation, was likely 

 to suffer from the destruction of these forests. 



In the fall of 1884 The State Forestry Association was organ- 

 ized, composed of men who were not merely interested in the pres- 

 ent welfare of the state, but were looking forward to the perpet- 

 uation of our native resources. This Association at once became 

 active in securing State Legislation for the care and protection of 

 the forests growing on State lands. It was largely, if not wholly, 

 due to the efforts of this organization that the following law was 

 enacted : 



On April 4, 1885, a law was enacted creating the office of 

 State Forest Commissioner. Under the provisions of this act all 

 lands which were covered with forest growth or in any way de- 

 voted to forest uses belonging to or controlled by the state were 

 declared to be woodlands. A Forest Commissioner who should have 



