The Local newsletter is your free, daily guide to life in Colorado. For locals, by locals. Sign up today!
Mariah Carey croons through the speakers, festive lights wrap the trees in Civic Center Park, and you’re spending every spare moment perusing gift guides for everyone on your list.
These are all telltale signs that the holidays are officially upon us, which means if you celebrate a certain holiday in which a portly man with a white beard slides down your chimney late on December 24, it’s time to secure the season’s centerpiece: the Christmas tree. Of course, there’s no right way to go about finding the perfect evergreen for your living room. The traditionalists among us might prefer to trek out into the woods and chop one down. But let’s face it, this time of year is hectic enough without adding lumberjack duty to your to-do list.
So if you’d rather leave the hacking to the pros, we’ve found seven of the best tree farms and lots on the Front Range that make cultivating Christmas cheer convenient and carefree.
Jolly Christmas Trees
Best For: Its many convenient locations
Address: 4258 S. Parker Road, Aurora; 8510 Northfield Blvd., Denver; 1736 S. Circle Drive, Colorado Springs; and 10301 W. Sixth Ave., Lakewood
Dates: Nov. 24 to Dec. 23
Jolly Christmas Trees started as a small family business in 2015, but over the last seven years, it’s expanded to four locations throughout the Denver area. On the lots, you’ll find Fraser firs, balsam firs, noble firs, Nordmann firs, and a whole slew of other tree varieties. And if you don’t know a balsam from a blue spruce, don’t stress. Jolly Christmas prides itself on its friendly, knowledgeable staff who can help you hand-pick the perfect foliage for your family. Along with a wide selection of trees, the Aurora and Colorado Springs locations will offer photo-ops with the one and only Santa Claus on Saturdays.
Blue Ribbon Farm
Best For: Charlie Brown Christmas trees
Address: 10147 Hover St., Longmont
Dates: Nov. 24 to Dec. 23 (or until trees sell out)
Set on five acres in Longmont, you’ll feel as if you’re far away from the hustle and bustle of the city while wandering Blue Ribbon Farm. The property’s massive selection of trees ranges from tiny two-foot table toppers to towering 20-foot behemoths, but easily the most unique offerings at the farm are Blue Ribbon’s Charlie Brown Christmas trees. Just like the lovable-yet-laughable tree in A Charlie Brown Christmas, these balsam firs have a bit of funky flair to them. They haven’t been handled or sheared very much, resulting in a look that’s a little uneven, but full of character.
Nice Fresh Christmas Trees
Best For: Those who want to order a tree from their couch
Address: 1720 S. Santa Fe Drive; 4295 McIntyre St., Golden; 16750 E. Broncos Parkway, Aurora; W. 112th Ave. and Sheridan Blvd., Denver; and 210 E. 136th Ave., Thornton
Dates: Nov. 15 to Dec. 23
Nice Fresh Christmas Trees has been helping Denverites deck the halls since 1965. Today, they have five locations on the Front Range with 10,000 trees to choose from—so if you can’t find the exact tree you’re looking for at any of their locations, it probably doesn’t exist. Sip on hot chocolate and stroll through the aisles to a soundtrack of Christmas music while you make your selection or, if you’d rather not venture out in the cold (no judgment), you can browse their trees, wreaths, decorations, and more on their website. Once you’ve loaded up your online cart with Christmas cheer, simply email wizzbizz101@yahoo.com and let them know which location you’d like to pick up your order from.
Creekside Tree Nursery
Best For: Those who want to cut their own tree without the hassle
Address: 6932 N. 95th St., Niwot
Dates: Nov. 24 to Dec. 23
If you like the old-school feel of hacking down your own holiday showpiece, Creekside Tree Nursery will let you do just that with minimal legwork. Venture out into the fields of this Niwot lot—which contains both imported and locally grown varieties that have been replanted—until you lay eyes on your balsam beauty. Then, take your bow saw to the base and bring it home for the holidays. No reservations are needed, but Creekside encourages visitors to arrive after dark with a headlamp for the most enchanting experience.
If you want a memory that will literally last a lifetime, opt for the nursery’s “living” option, which is essentially a potted Christmas tree. Creekside only sells living varieties that will thrive in Colorado’s harsh environment, so once the man with the bag pays your home a visit, you can replant the tree in your yard where it’ll thrive for Christmases to come.
Tomari’s Trees
Best For: Festive fun for parents and kids
Address: 6328 S. Turkey Creek Road, Suite A, Morrison
Dates: Nov. 24 to Dec. 23
Nestled in the foothills, the cozy, rustic Tomari’s Trees feels like it’s been plucked straight out of a Hallmark movie. Kids can sip a warm cup of hot chocolate while they race through the rows of noble and Nordmann firs, while the adults linger at Lynn’s Whistle Stop, an onsite restaurant and coffee shop, with a cocktail of cheer. Inside, sit by the fire and enjoy fresh-baked pastries, breakfast burritos, a wide array of sandwiches, and plenty of kid-friendly options like PB&Js. Don’t forget to scour the shop for stocking stuffers before you leave—you might as well check off some shopping while you’re at it.
Tree Town Wonderland
Best For: Having a full day with the family
Address: 3604 S. Kipling St., Denver
Dates: Nov. 17 to Dec. 23
For many families, finding the perfect Christmas tree is a tradition, not just another item on your to-do list. Make this holiday excursion an all-day affair at Tree Town Wonderland. Along with offering a 54-hole mini golf course, they also host free events like meet-and greets-with Santa and his reindeer (check out the schedule here), more than 500,000 twinkling lights, and of course, a maze of Douglas firs, scotch pines, and more.
Mr. Jingles Christmas Trees
Best For: Those who have a stacked holiday calendar
Address: 11801 W. 44th Ave., Wheat Ridge; 6601 Indiana St., Arvada
Dates: Nov. 24 to Dec. 23
If you love the holidays but hate all the huffing and puffing required to find, cut, secure, and transport your tree, Mr. Jingles will be your seasonal savior. Along with Christmas trees, both locations sell wreaths, garlands, tree bags, stands, lights, ornaments, and more. The staff will even attach your tree to the stand (whether it’s your own or one you purchased there). For those who really don’t want to lift a finger, Mr. Jingles offers a tree delivery and installation service to anyone within 20 miles of their locations. (If you fall outside delivery area, you can fill out a special request form). And should you find yourself with a holiday hangover—from all the cookies and milk of course—Mr. Jingles will remove your tree after the holiday and do needed cleanup.