Summit County Chipping Program

You can protect your home from wildfire with help from the Summit County Chipping Program. Summit County government helps residents and property owners create defensible space by providing free chipping and disposal for branches, logs and small trees. If you clear woody vegetation from around your home and stack it in a slash pile, we’ll chip it and haul it away at no cost.

The chipping program has ended for 2018, but will resume in Summer 2019. Check this website for more information in late Spring 2019.

Remember, it takes everyone to protect everyone.    
Chipping crew loading slash into a chipper

Materials Guidelines


Accepted materials include trees, logs and branches up to 12 inches in diameter, free of nails and wire. The following restrictions apply:
  • No willows or cottonwood: Willows and cottonwood have high moisture content, so they help to slow the spread of fire.  They also clog chipping equipment because they are very fibrous. 
  • No construction or building materials, treated lumber, fence posts or signs.
  • No shrubs, rood wads, stumps, dirt or rocks. These items clog and damage chipping equipment.
  • No grass clippings, trash, weeds or bags of leaves.

Pile Guidelines


Piles must be stacked by 8 a.m. on the Monday of your neighborhood's designated chipping week (see schedule below). Chipping and collection will take place Monday through Friday of your neighborhood's designated week. Improperly stacked piles, and any piles stacked after 8 a.m. on Monday, may not be identified or collected.
  • Stack piles neatly (no bags), with the large ends of branches facing the road.
  • Place piles within 5 feet of the roadway, but not touching the road or in drainage ditches.
  • Maximum pile size is 5 'x 5' x 5'. There is no limit on the number of piles you may put out. If you have more than 20 piles, please notify us one week prior to your chipping week.
  • After crews have removed your pile, clear away any remaining branches, needles and debris.
  • Do not combine piles with neighbors' piles or place piles in other neighborhoods.
  • If you would like to keep your chips, tie a piece of red yarn or flagging in a prominent spot on the pile.

Example of a "Good Pile"

Example of a good slash pile for chipping program

Example of a "Bad Pile"

Example of a bad slash pile for chipping program

2018 Chipping Program Results


A total of 2,646 local households participated in the 2018 Chipping Program, and chipping crews removed 12,015 slash piles, making significant progress toward our community’s wildfire protection goals. Approximately 4,420 cubic yards of chips were hauled to Climax Molybdenum Mine for reclamation efforts.

Contact

 
For more information on the Summit County Chipping Program, call or email Dan Schroder (970-668-4140).


Colorado State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Summit County cooperating. Extension programs available to all without discrimination.