Colorado landowners who want to protect environmentally valuable private forest areas that could someday be threatened by development or conversion to other non-forest uses — and who desire to receive monetary compensation in the process — now have the opportunity to submit proposals to protect their forestlands.

This month, the Colorado State Forest Service is accepting Forest Legacy Program proposals from Colorado landowners.

The program authorizes the CSFS or U.S. Forest Service to purchase permanent conservation easements on private forestlands to prevent those lands from being converted to non-forest uses.

The application deadline is Aug. 31 — extended from July 28 — for federal fiscal year 2020 funding. Proposals must be submitted by standard mail.

The program provides an opportunity for private landowners to retain ownership and management of their land, while receiving compensation for unrealized development rights.