Dolores FFA Opens Christmas Tree Lot to Fund Student Competitions

The Dolores FFA chapter will run its annual Christmas tree lot beginning Dec. 1 and continuing through Dec. 20, or until trees sell out, in the IFA parking lot at 10501 U.S. Highway 491. The lot will be open Monday through Thursday from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and closed on Sundays. Organizers say proceeds will help fund students attending spring Career Development Events at Colorado State University.

Career Development Events are a key part of the FFA curriculum statewide, offering students practical competitions and workshops that organizers say build real world skills, leadership, and career exploration opportunities. Dolores FFA leaders and members have highlighted those benefits in promoting the fundraiser to the community as a means to both raise necessary program funds and showcase student work.

For Dolores County residents the tree lot represents a local opportunity to support agricultural education and student development directly. Funds raised will subsidize travel, registration, and other costs associated with sending students to CDEs, which can be a barrier for families and for a small rural program. The chapter has positioned the lot as a community partnership that keeps fundraising local and visible.

The location on U.S. Highway 491 provides a convenient option for holiday tree shoppers from Dolores and neighboring communities. Hours include evening availability on weekdays and extended hours on weekends, allowing residents to purchase trees after work or during weekend errands. The operation will run while supplies last, so early shoppers are likely to find the widest selection.

As the chapter prepares for the December opening, the fundraiser serves as a reminder of the role local support plays in sustaining extracurricular programs that offer pathways to careers in agriculture and related fields. For many students, participation in CDEs provides both college and career readiness, making community contributions to the tree lot directly relevant to long term educational outcomes in Dolores County.