James M John - Toybox Forest Habitat Improvement Project

The Colorado Department of Natural Resources, on behalf of Colorado Parks and Wildlife, is soliciting competitive proposals for logging services to improve wildlife habitat and forest health on up to 301 acres of the James M. John State Wildlife Area near Trinidad, Colorado, with proposals due October 26, 2026 at 10:00 AM MDT. A mandatory pre-bid meeting is scheduled October 8, 2026 at 10:00 AM MDT with registration required by October 7. Resident bidders and Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs) with proper certification are eligible for preferences.

The scope is selective timber harvesting and thinning on up to 301 acres to reduce basal area from 195 to an average of 85 across the treatment unit. Contractors must remove trees in the 8-inch to 24-inch diameter at breast height class while retaining healthy aspen and trees showing wildlife use. Work must be completed by June 30, 2027, with liquidated damages assessed at $458.53 per calendar day for failure to meet deadline. A mandatory 5-acre test section must be completed for CPW approval before general work commences. Contractors must maintain workers' compensation insurance, commercial general liability insurance with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence, and automobile liability insurance with $1,000,000 combined single limits, naming the State as additional insured. Equipment must have GPS mapping capabilities; weekly status reporting and monthly progress mapping documentation are required. Excessive damage exceeding six basal wounds per acre may result in written warnings, contract termination, or deduction of up to $100 per damaged tree. All work must be completed within Colorado and comply with USFS Special Use Permit Authorization ID CAN975, Non-Federal Commercial Road Use Permit, 2023 Forestry Best Management Practices, and Clean Water Act Section 404.

The maximum project budget is $600,000 with payment based on completed monthly acreage at an agreed-upon price per acre. Written questions are due October 15, 2026 at 10:00 AM MDT, with answers posted by October 20. Public proposal opening occurs October 26 at 12:00 PM MDT. Top-candidate interviews are scheduled November 2–4, 2026, with award notice expected November 6. Work is expected to commence November 23, 2026.