Shorter days and cooler nights produce fireplace weather and to help keep the public warm, Lake Pueblo State Park is again inviting visitors to gather free firewood from the shorelines within park boundaries.

Between November 15 and December 15, driftwood found along the lake shores may be taken for free by visitors. No other wood, including limbs and branches on live or dead standing trees, may be gathered.

Permits are unlimited and can be obtained at the park’s Visitor Center between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., seven days-a-week.

“It is really important that folks make the extra effort to come into the Visitor Center and get a permit,” said Brian Kerrigan, park operations manager. “This gives the park staff an opportunity to direct the public to the exact locations where wood may be gathered.

“It also gives us an idea of the numbers of visitors that we are serving with this program.”

Each permit will include a map that shows where wood may be gathered.

The wood and permits are free with a valid $7 day pass, or $70 annual park pass per vehicle.