Urban Forest Strategic Plan - Public Survey #1

Denver Parks and Recreation and the Office of the City Forester welcome feedback to assist in developing the city’s first Urban Forest Strategic Plan. The urban forest encompasses all trees within the city, both on public and private property. A strategic plan will refine existing goals, identify new goals and provide a common vision for the future of the urban forest in Denver. Your responses will remain confidential. The survey closes on May 1, 2023.

At the end of the survey, you can optionally share your email and enter to win a FREE tree from the city to be planted in a public location of your choosing!

Learn more about the plan and how to stay involved at www.denvergov.org/forestry.

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* 1. What do you think about trees? (Please select all that apply.)

They’re beautiful

They’re messy

They provide benefits like cooling, better air quality and storm water absorption

They slow traffic speeds

They cause gentrification

They reduce my electric bill

They cause sidewalk damage

They improve property value

They make me feel better

They cost too much to maintain

They make me feel unsafe

I’m not sure, I’ve never thought about it

They provide homes for wildlife and food for pollinators

Trees don’t impact me and I don’t care about them

Other (please specify)

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* 2. Where is it most important to plant additional trees in Denver? (Please select your top five.)

Downtown

Parking lots

Schools

Streets

Parks

City-owned facilities such as libraries, recreation centers, police stations, etc.

Private yards/houses

New development/construction projects

Businesses

Industrial areas

Along waterways

Rooftop greenspaces

Any area that has little shade and few trees today

Nowhere, we don’t need more trees

Other (please specify)

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* 3. Should healthy trees on private property be protected from removal through city regulation? (Please select all that apply.)

Yes, for commercial and multifamily properties

Yes, for single family residential properties

Yes, only for especially large trees or historically significant trees

Yes, for all types of properties

Maybe, I’m not sure

No, there should be no private tree protection

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* 4. Public infrastructure includes facilities intended for public use such as transportation and utilities. Do you believe trees are an important aspect of public infrastructure and should be given equal consideration?

Yes

I’m not sure

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* 5. The City of Denver has limited resources for planting and maintaining trees in the public right-of-way (the area between the curb and property line that can include sidewalks, trees and other amenities).

What would you personally do to help protect, maintain and grow public street trees in Denver? (Please select all that apply.)

I would help maintain street trees adjacent to my property by watering

I would support a dedicated fee or tax if it meant the city took over maintenance, such as planting and regular pruning, that improves the health of trees and reduces emergency pruning

I would volunteer my time

I would support a dedicated fee or tax if it meant the city took over hazardous tree maintenance, such as pruning and removal, from adjacent property owners

I would plant and care for a public street tree if the city provided an incentive

I would support an assessment or impact fee on new development to support long term maintenance of the urban forest

I would prefer to provide additional financial support for forestry partners, such as The Park People, for additional planting and stewardship programs

I would love more trees where I live, but I live in a rental property

I would attend education opportunities

There isn’t a need for any of these options

Do you have other suggestions we should explore?

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* 6. Do you know about the following city ordinance and programs to protect and increase trees? (Please select all that apply.)

Be A Smart Ash (BASA)

Tree planting and maintenance through the Forestry Neighborhood Enhancement (FNE) program

Denver Digs Trees

The Equitable Community Tree Planting Initiative through Denver’s Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency (CASR) which plants trees on private property

Tree protection in the Denver Municipal Code Ch. 57

I do not know about these programs and do not want more information

I do not know about these programs and would like to be contacted to learn more (sign up here!)

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* 7. What is your hope for the future of the urban forest in Denver?

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* 8. Do you live, work or play in Denver? (Please select all that apply.)

I own a home here

I rent a home or apartment here

I am visiting

I work or go to school here

I own a business here

Other (please specify)