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More than ever this past year, we've seen how important Colorado's great outdoors is in providing a place to relax, reconnect, and revive through outdoor recreation from angling to camping to hiking. Colorado's State Parks are among the most valued places to enjoy nature close to home, contributing to our quality of life, boosting our local economies, and representing the fabric of our state. And more and more Coloradans are taking advantage of the chance to enjoy them.
That rapid expansion in demand for outdoor recreation, coupled with Colorado's growing population, are challenging the ability of Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) to deliver on its mission to ensure the benefits of the outdoors and wildlife are sustained for future generations. CPW needs adequate, sustainable funding to support sound management of parks while also providing affordable access to these state treasures for all Coloradans who want to enjoy them and support their conservation.
Under SB21-249, CPW is directed to create an optional, discounted "Keep Colorado Wild Pass" that will be added when Coloradans register their passenger vehicles, light trucks, motorcycles and recreational vehicles starting in 2023. The new pass will provide access to Colorado's 42 state parks, cost no more than $40 (half of a current parks annual pass) with a goal to bring the price down to $20 price via high participation, and include a clear option for registrants to choose not to purchase the pass. Similar programs in other states have enjoyed strong participation (85% in Montana!) and helped generate increased revenue to support responsible management of park lands. With the Wild Pass, CPW can do the same - making access to state parks easy and affordable, while bolstering total funds to ensure that parks can be managed safely and sustainably. You can learn more - including accessing a fact sheet and seeing answers to frequently asked questions - at the Keep Colorado Wild Pass website.
Please take action now and ask your State Representative to support SB21-249 - the Keep Colorado Wild Pass - to ensure that Colorado's state parks are accessible, affordable and adequately funded to protect them for the long-term. You can submit your comments electronically through this form, or call your representative's office directly at: https://leg.colorado.gov/find-my-legislator
Thank you for speaking up for Colorado's state parks and great outdoors!
Angling at Sylvan Lake State Park
Rifle Falls State Park
Please take a moment today to urge your representative to support SB21-249 and help support Colorado's State Parks!
You are not able to take action on this issue as it is outside the location of the targeted districts. But, you can still help us in our efforts with the actions below!