The Trails and Open Space Coalition and its Advocacy Committee have approved resolutions supporting the Hunting, Fishing and Parks Bill for Future Generations act. The bill will help our state parks become more financially sustainable, complete long-overdue repairs and maintenance, and expand conservation efforts.
Responding to testimony from hunters, anglers, state park visitors and volunteers about the need to provide a long-term funding solution for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the Senate Finance Committee unanimously passed, 5-0, the Hunting, Fishing, and Parks for Future Generations Act (Senate Bill 18-143) Feb 13.
Lawmakers credited CPW leadership for conducting exhaustive statewide public outreach and using the feedback to resubmit an improved proposal that lays out specific ways money generated by modest fee increases would be used, such as fixing deteriorating dams, recruiting new hunters, expanding conservation efforts and looking for ways to increase outdoor recreation opportunities for all Coloradans.
CPW relies on user fees, not general tax dollars, to fund its work. Hunting and fishing licenses, park entrance fees and OHV, boat and snowmobile registration fees are the primary source of funding for the agency. CPW has worked hard to ensure that any fee increases are minimal, but that they will help in accomplishing the much-needed maintenance and goals set forth by agency leadership. To achieve this, the bill limits increases to most multi-day resident hunting licenses to $8.  For example, an elk tag would increase from $45 to $53. The bill also limits any annual increase to daily park entrance fees to $1 and $10 for an annual pass.
From Colorado Parks and Wildlife website, http://cpw.state.co.us