Easy as cut, split, stack, dry, and burn Pine and similar softwoods get used as heat in some of the coldest parts of the US to no ill effect. When dry, it poses no extra threat to you or your home than any other wood
Or in the 60s here in Virginia??!! As for pine, cut, split, stack, dry, burn, repeat to your heart's content. I burn some in my stove in fall and spring but mostly like it for outdoor burning. I like the smell of pine. I try to cut standing dead because I am not a big fan of all the sap, and once it's on the ground for long it's toast.
I burn mostly pine as its easier to get and seasons up quick Ive had some seasoned in 6 months. Last year I burned about 2 cord of pine and there was no more creosote in the chimney than usual actually there was less because my wood was seasoned better than the year before and Im on track to burn around 3 cord of pine this season.
Pitch, pitch, pitch! With all the hardwood available, pine and all other evergreens are looked down upon around here. Usually, once a year or so, someone sheepishly asks "is it ok to burn pine?" Answer is always the same. Tell them to look west and also north...that's pretty much the only species they have to burn.
Lots of cottonwood along river. My least favorite to burn. Will admit that i do burn it. It does give off a peculiar smell.
I don't mind burning pine but if you have it in a open fireplace or even when reloading with the door open, watch for those pitch-pockets exploding. They can send a shot of embers across the room in short order.
I have never seen cottonwood in the designated cut zones in No Colo. I am not sure they grow at higher altitudes? My previous home we had a narrow leaf cottonwood in our landscaping at 5600' and it was the highest deciduous on our road.
I burn it all season long. I mix it in with hardwood and use it to get things going when the fire coals down. It doesn't coal that well, so keep an eye on it if you burn a load of just pine. I've got close to two cords split and stacked in VT.
It smells a whole lot better than the diesel exhaust of the propane delivery truck, as it drives by without stopping. Smells like- victory.