6 MISC. PUBLICATION" 18, U. S. DEPT. OF AGEICULTUEE 



consist almost entirely of areas burned over so severely many years 

 ago that all trees were destroyed and replaced by a dense growth 

 of grass or weeds. The natural supply of tree seed is very limited 

 in such places and the grass and weeds make conditions very 

 unfavorable for natural reforestation. 



Because of the high cost of forest planting it has, so far, been 

 concentrated on accessible locations where there is the most urgent 

 need. Small areas, mostly in the form of experimental plots, are 

 being planted in the national forests throughout Colorado, but for 

 the present the only extensive work is being done on the Pike 

 National Forest. 



GRAZING 



Grazing is commonly an important use of the western national 

 forests. This is because of the way grazing lands are mixed with 

 timberlands in areas covered by national forests and also because of 

 the large area of surrounding ranch property. Also, surrounding 

 some of the national forests, there are extensive areas of semiarid 

 winter-grazing lands, much of which can be used most efficiently 

 only as they are supplemented with summer grazing in the moun- 

 tains. 



Through the use of range-management plans an effort is made to 

 correlate the grazing uses on the national forests so as to utilize all 

 the forage available, but, at the same time, prevent damage to 

 forest reproduction. 



The grazing resources are administered so as to favor the local, 

 small-scale, resident ranch owner, who is the home builder of the 

 region. A preferential system of permits favors such land residents 

 when total ownership both of land and livestock falls within certain 

 maximum limits. Those granted such permits are -known as class 

 A. This policy of favoring the local small owner is carried out as 

 far as possible considering the available range, and in harmony 

 with a policy of protecting the investments of the old established 

 users. These older users usualy operate on a large scale and are 

 designated as class B. They also have preferences, but are subject 

 to reductions within certain guaranteed limits when it is necessary 

 to accommodate new class A permittees. Such range only as is left 

 over after the needs of these two classes are taken care of is available 

 for speculative stock owners, class C applicants who do not own 

 ranch property. Permits to the latter can be reduced or discon- 

 tinued by the Forest Service at the end of any annual grazing 

 season. The others are binding for 10-year periods and may be 

 renewed on the same preference basis. The system is designed to 

 promote stability for the individual and the community as well as 

 for the industry. 



GAME 



The portion of Colorado now included within the national-forest 

 boundaries was once the natural range of deer, elk, mountain sheep, 

 and many other forms of wild life. Although the number is much 

 reduced, game animals are still one of the important assets of this 

 region. They are given consideration accordingly in the adminis- 

 tration of the national forests. 



