The Black Forest Slash & Mulch site will open May 2, with several coronavirus-inspired changes. The popular, volunteer-run program supports local wildfire mitigation efforts.Residents of El Paso County haul tree slash (limbs, leaves, needles) to the site in Black Forest. The slash is ground into mulch, which participants can either load for free themselves or pay the loader driver per bucket.This year, to support social distancing and contact avoidance due to the coronavirus, the program, with the approval of Kathy Andrew, the El Paso County sponsor, has made the following changes. The gate attendant will not collect a fee for each load or punch loyalty cards. Anyone who wants to contribute to the cost of the program or leave donations for Black Forest Cares will find a donation jar and a box to deposit non-perishable food items near the entrance. The attendants will not make change. No paperwork will be required. However, the Black Forest website provides the form that participants fill out in advance. Anyone at the site who needs information about the site or volunteer opportunities will be given the appropriate papers with a grab bar. No tools will be loaned and no milk bones for canine crew.Most importantly, no one will be available to help residents unload their slash. While unloading, people are expected to be at least 6 feet from other groups. An attendant will help ensure that loads contain only tree slash. Not allowed are weeds, stumps, roots, lumber, trash or tree limbs longer than 6 feet or 8 inches in diameter.The Slash & Mulch Committee (SAMCOM) will evaluate how well the safety procedures are being met on a daily basis. Carolyn Brown, SAMCOM board member and volunteer coordinator, said, ìFurther changes may be necessary to ensure everyoneís safety as the new changes are implemented. The site occupies a 2.5 acre plot on the edge of the 640-acre Section 16. In the fresh air and sunshine, users should be safe. It is anticipated that it will be a very busy season. With extra time on peopleís hands and intervals of warm weather, there is much interest in cleaning up properties.îThe plan is to keep the siteís schedule unchanged: Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 5 to 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. Mulch will be available, and although there is no loading fee, SAMCOM will pay the loader fees. Donations are appreciated.The slash and mulch site is located on the east side of Herring Road between Shoup and Burgess roads.For more information, call Carolyn Brown 719-495-3127. The Black Forest Slash-Mulch website is at https://bfslash.org/.
