Coloradans are fortunate to have access to a state park system that provides thousands of acres of public lands set in magnificent landscapes. Our 42 state parks contribute to the exceptional quality of life we enjoy and are a fundamental reason that many of us choose to live here. In order to maintain these beautiful places and continue to offer the high quality experiences our visitors expect, Colorado State Parks is faced with the difficult choice to raise user fees or close parks. We want to maintain a clean, safe, and accessible statewide park system for all Coloradans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Value of Parks
For quick reference see; Fee Changes Q&A
Parks Fee History
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Colorado State Parks remain a great recreation value for the public. The daily entrance fees is good for a carload of people and costs less than a single movie ticket and our annual pass is less than a dinner at a restaurant for a family of four.
What is the value of feeling that first tug on a fishing line and reeling in your first catch? Or camping beneath the stars in a cloudless sky while hearing nothing but the crackle of your campfire? State Parks provide havens for exercising our bodies and minds. They not only improve our physical health, but connect us to nature to restore our mental health and spirits. The benefits that State Parks provide to the people of Colorado are truly endless.
If you would like details on all Colorado State Parks entrance passes, please visit our Parks Passes page.
- Fees for all State Park visitors have been increased in the last three years. The reductions in Aspen Leaf discounts were approved because Colorado State Parks will receive no general tax dollars and will receive substantially less support from severance tax dollars as of July 1, 2011.
- To prepare for the loss of general tax and severance tax dollars, the Parks Board approved a financial plan in November 2010, including ten strategies to reduce spending. Reducing the Aspen Leaf discounts was one of the strategies proposed.
- Colorado residents who are 64 and older will continue to receive a discount on Annual Passes and camping fees.
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Colorado State Parks Visitation
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Colorado State Parks General Fund Support
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- The Colorado State Parks annual pass is $70 and $35 for a multiple pass which are valid for a full 12 months.
- The fee for the annual pass was increased last year and will not increase again this year (fiscal year July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012).
- The Colorado State Parks Board (Parks Board) wants to keep parks affordable for all Coloradans, which is why the financial plan includes a number of cost cutting and efficiency strategies to help balance the state parks budget.
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- Beginning June 30, 2011 the Aspen Leaf annual pass will cost $60, which still provides a $10 discount for Colorado residents 64 years and older.
- The Aspen Leaf multiple pass proposed cost is $30, which is a $5 discount.
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- Beginning June 30, 2011, the cost of a Lifetime Pass will change from $175 to $300.
- Under the state law that created the Lifetime Pass, the cost of the Lifetime Pass may be five times the amount of the annual Aspen Leaf.
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- Yes. Except for holidays, Aspen Leaf pass holders will receive a $3 discount on camping fees for all site types, from basic to full service RV hook-ups, when they camp Sunday through Thursday evenings.
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- The new Aspen Leaf rates will go into effect on June 30, 2011.
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- Yes, the Parks Board raised selected fees in 2009 and a different set of fees in 2010 to offset the declining funding from state tax dollars.
- During the last several years, millions of dollars of state general and severance taxes have been cut from the Parks budget because of the state's economic downturn.
- To continue to keep our State Parks open around the state that offers quality services and well maintained and safe facilities for our visitors, we must increase fees.
- The increasing reliance on higher fees to operate state parks reflects the drastic loss of taxpayer dollars provided to State Parks.
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- Significant cuts have already been made in all State Parks operations, including eliminating permanent and seasonal staff, closing some park facilities, reducing programs, administration, training and travel.
- State law requires that: "…state parks and state recreation areas should be financed as much as reasonably possible through revenues derived from the users of such system."
- Operating budgets have been reduced and other fees have been increased.
- The change to visitors funding public lands rather than all taxpayers contributing to them is a shift from the past but one that is necessary with our current budget situation.
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- We offer a Centennial annual pass for Colorado residents who are income eligible. The pass is available at our four regional offices (Denver, Littleton, Clifton, Colorado Springs), and applicants must provide their previous year's federal income tax return and photo identification.
- We also offer a Columbine annual pass for totally and permanently disabled Colorado residents.
- Individuals with Disabled Veterans license plates are provided free entrance to state parks when the veteran is present in the vehicle.
- To find out what is required to apply for these specialty passes and for more information on all Colorado State Parks passes, please visit www.parks.state.co.us/ParksPasses.
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- Despite what has been portrayed in the media recently, there has been no mismanagement or misuse of funds by State Parks. The proposed fee increases have been a direct result of the substantial reduction of tax dollar support.
- Less than three years ago, State Parks received about $11 million in combined general tax and severance tax funds. This year, the amount of tax dollars will have been reduced to less than five million dollars.
- As a result of Colorado's continued economic crisis, State Parks may lose the remaining severance tax support this next year and will be expected to operate parks with no taxpayer subsidy in future years.
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- The National Parks and the National Forests are federal government agencies and receive federal tax dollars. So, they can offer lower fees and discounts.
- Colorado State Parks is a state agency and will receive no general state tax dollars after July 1, 2011. There is no way to continue the current level of discounts for seniors and keep park facilities open, safe and well maintained.
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- Not immediately. The Governor initiated the merger to eliminate duplication, seek money-saving efficiencies and enhance the effectiveness of both divisions.
- No potential cost savings from the merger will be realized until the second half of 2012.
- The Division of Wildlife receives funding from hunting and fishing licenses and from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. These funds are restricted and must be expended consistent with the purposes for which the moneys were received.
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- Some seniors may decide not to purchase State Parks passes because the discount has decreased. Others may continue to purchase the passes and appreciate the remaining discount offered to seniors.
- Supporters of Colorado State Parks understand that their annual and daily passes must help even more to pay for the park facilities they use and to protect the natural resources. Paved roads, parking lots, campgrounds, boat ramps, trails and restrooms all cost money to build and maintain.
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- State Parks has already reduced the number full-time staff and seasonal workers.
- If staff is reduced further, more park facilities will have to be closed for safety reasons.
- Currently, the ratio of State Parks permanent staff to visitors is 1 to 42,000, one of the most efficient park systems compared to other states in the mountain region. (Graph)
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- Colorado State Parks already uses volunteers extensively and continues to recruit. In 2010, the public donated 208,607 volunteer hours to the State Parks.
- These volunteer hours represent the equivalent of 100 full-time equivalent staff and $4.4 million based on the Independent Sector Rate.
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- GOCO and Lottery funds comprise just over one-third of our total revenues (about 37%). These funding sources are restricted to: capital construction, land purchases and major repairs.
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