Keeping Colorado Wild proves to be a successful strategy

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DENVER (KDVR) — Nature has perfected the balance of give and take, knowing its limit and the exact moment to stop. Mimicking nature, Colorado has introduced a method to allow people to visit state parks, take in their beauty and give back to make sure they are well-conserved and looked after.

The Keep Colorado Wild Pass was introduced in its full capacity for the first time last year. More than 1.5 million Coloradans purchased the pass generating $39.7 million to be repurposed into support for the Colorado state parks.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife wanted the passes to generate $36 million in revenue. They successfully reached their goal and then some, surpassing their mark by $3.7 million.

The money will be redistributed back into Colorado wildlife. The first $32.5 million will go toward the maintenance and development of state parks. The next $2.5 million will be used to assist search and rescue teams, and $1 million will be contributed to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.

All remaining funds from the passes will be put into wildlife projects and outdoor educational programs.

The Keep Colorado Wild Pass was launched for sale in January 2023 by CPW and the Division of Motor Vehicles. The purchase window lasted from January through June, and the pass was available for $29. The pass is 60% cheaper than the former $80 annual pass and allows entry by car, bike or foot into any Colorado state park.

“We’re excited to report on the Keep Colorado Wild Pass’s success during its first year of operations,” CPW Chief Financial Officer Justin Rutter said.  “This is a substantial increase in revenue for our agency compared to previous years, which means our state parks, wildlife, search and rescue volunteers, and avalanche forecasters will get a boost in funding in the coming year too.”

The boost in funding will allow CPW to create more areas with campsites, updated bathrooms and facilities, parking lots and roads and plenty of other improvements.

The money invested in the Colorado Backcountry Search and Rescue will help supply them with better training, programs and equipment as they embark on more than 3,600 rescues per year, more than any other state.

The last remaining bit of money helps the CAIC create more efficient systems to help get information out to the public regarding dangerous winter conditions.

“Whether you use the pass to visit state parks or to show support for our outdoor first responders and avalanche forecasters, your contribution plays an integral role in giving back to the outdoor spaces and programs our local communities treasure,” CPW Deputy Director Heather Disney Dugan said.

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Spencer Kristensen

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