Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is asking the CPW Commission at its next meeting on March 4 and 5 for permission to charge out-of-state visitors 50% more for a state parks day pass. It is doing so with no real effort to gather public input and with little justification, other than because the agency seeks more revenue, other states do it, and also simply because, well, it can.
Whether by way of raising taxes, or increasing fees, Colorado has always had a robust system of gathering public input and justifying the reasons for the increases. For example, so-called “de-TABORing” referendums, where governments ask to keep excess tax revenues, are often accompanied by detailed justification for keeping the revenues. In the past, when CPW has sought increases in fees, it conducted public meetings to gather input from stakeholders and the public.
The commission has added this proposal to its “consent agenda,” meaning it will be voted on as a package with other measures and with no opportunity for public input at the meeting, nor any discussion or debate on the proposal. Comments can be submitted online to the commission, but since this is part of the consent agenda, it’s questionable as to whether much attention will be paid to comments.
Around the country, funding of state parks agencies takes many forms. Some are funded by taxes levied, usually in the form of property taxes, some are funded by a combination of taxes and entry fees and some, such as in Colorado, are funded entirely by fees, with no taxpayer support. And therein lies the rub. In states where residents support their state parks, either in full or in part through involuntary taxes, it makes sense to charge out-of-state visitors more, since they are not contributing to the state’s parks system by way of taxes.
Contributions from individuals or organizations, both business and non-profit and government grants also help fund state parks to varying degrees, including in Colorado.
In Colorado, our state parks system operates without taxes. So unless you visit a state park or purchase a Keep Colorado Wild pass with your Colorado vehicle registration – already at a great discount compared to the regular price of a yearly parks pass – you have no financial investment in our state parks. If you go, you pay; if you don’t, the state parks don’t cost you anything. Under Colorado’s funding model, everyone who visits a state park, regardless of where they live, is equally financially invested in the park.
The proposal, which would increase the base daily state park entry fee from the current $10 for all users to $15 for out-of-state visitors, was first presented to the CPW Commission at its January 2026 meeting. The meeting materials seem to indicate that the reasoning for asking the commission to approve the fee increase is due to increased visitation to state parks by out-of-state visitors on weekends, which CPW believes is preventing Colorado residents from enjoying the parks. However, the documents don’t detail exactly how they came to that determination, or to which parks that might have been an issue. The materials presented to the commission in January also show that despite how Colorado state law defines who is a “resident,” CPW wants to use nothing more than a vehicle’s license plate as a determination of who is a resident and who isn’t. This means that military members, who may be stationed in Colorado for several years and even own homes here, but choose to keep their home state license plates, would be forced to pay the higher rate. It’s important to note that military members who live in Colorado but keep their home state license plates are already locked out of getting a Keep Colorado Wild pass, meaning they also pay much more for a yearly state parks pass. Colorado residents who may be driving a car with out-of-state plates, such as a rental car, would be forced to pay the higher daily rate under the new rate plan.
Despite CPW being required by state law to seek “Solicit input from stakeholders that may be affected positively or negatively” by this proposal, CPW does not appear to have actively sought any input from stakeholders.
CPW’s Public Information Office refused my repeated requests to personally interview anyone at CPW who could discuss this proposal. Instead, they asked that I submit questions in writing, to which I received replies that were not attributed to any specific person.
When I specifically asked about military members who reside in Colorado, but don’t have Colorado license plates, their reply pointed out that active, retired and military veterans enjoy free admission during the month of August, but that otherwise there were no plans to accommodate them with this new fee structure. Vehicles displaying disabled veteran license plates get free parks admission year-round, and disabled veterans can also obtain a Independence State Parks Pass, which also grants free year-round admission.
When I asked for a specific reason or rationale behind charging out-of-state visitors more, the long answer can be best summed up with “because other states do it.” Here’s the response:
“Colorado is known for its world-class recreation, and is a national destination for recreationists seeking out exceptional opportunities set against our majestic landscapes. The demand for recreation is felt by our state parks. CPW continues to look for ways to enhance revenues to build out the best state parks system to meet this demand.
But what also makes our state parks system great are our residents who overwhelmingly contribute to our state parks and natural resources in various ways, whether through their generous donations, participation in “Friends of” groups at our state parks, or other supportive actions that benefit our natural resources, from which our parks benefit.
Coloradans also overwhelmingly make up the number of volunteers who contributed 268,123 hours across the state for CPW and specifically 174,473 volunteer hours directly to park operations and programming.
Charging a higher fee for out of state residents is similar to how CPW – and other states – have different pricing structures for resident and non-resident license fees, and is an excellent way to give deference to Coloradans who enthusiastically visit and support our state parks system.”
None of that reply seems to be a reason for increasing the daily rate for out-of-state visitors, as it doesn’t explain why out-of-state visitors cost the agency more money to accommodate than resident visitors.
If by now you’re saying to yourself “what do I care if they charge out-of-state visitors more? It doesn’t affect me,” my issue here is CPW’s lack of justification for a rate increase, its lack of transparency on the issue, its refusal to allow the author of the proposal to speak to me for this piece and – most importantly – its apparent desire to shut-down public comment on this. One has to wonder what will happen when CPW wants to raise entry fees for everyone.
Be Good. Do Good Things. Ask Questions.
Bob Falcone aka “Hiking Bob” has been a Colorado Springs resident for more than 30 years. A retired career firefighter and U.S. Air Force veteran, Bob is an avid hiker & outdoorsman. Bob spends his days traveling around Colorado and the American Southwest searching for hiking and photography opportunities and adventures, often with his loyal companion Coal the dog. Be sure to check out Hiking Bob’s website and podcast
Editor’s note: The headline was updated on Feb. 27.
