PSA: Keep CO Wild Parks Pass

[curt86iroc]

Starting in 2023, all CO vehicle registrations will include an option to purchase a state parts pass for $29. While the majority of this revenue goes to CPW, a portion also goes to Search and Rescue teams and the CAIC! This is intended to provide direct funding assistance to these organizations.

Please consider including the $29 parks pass when you renew your registration. Thanks!

https://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/K ... orado-Wild

side note, an annual state parks pass is $80 when purchased separately.

[Arndorfer]

Buying this pass does not ensure that any money would go to Search and Rescue or CAIC. The detail within the link in the original post explains why:
"The goal is to generate at least $36 million annually. The first $32.5 million will go toward state park maintenance and development, the next $2.5 million will go towards search and rescue teams and $1 million to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. Any revenue beyond that will go to wildlife projects and outdoor educational programs."
To raise $36 million, 1.25 million cars would have to participate - with fewer than 2 million registered vehicles in Colorado and many of those multicar families, it seems unlikely that 65% of plate renewals will opt into this pass.
In my opinion, it would be much better to donate money directly to S&R and CAIC rather than giving Colorado bureaucrats somewhere between 100 and 90% of your money.

[curt86iroc]

direct donations are also always appreciated!

[daway8]

I've not really looked into state parks much - does anyone have recommendations for ones worth visiting?

(I did opt in on my recent renewal because I like the concept, even if I might not directly use it).

[PJ88]

I've not really looked into state parks much - does anyone have recommendations for ones worth visiting?

(I did opt in on my recent renewal because I like the concept, even if I might not directly use it).

I like going to Staunton and Roxborough for some leisurely hikes close to home, but have stopped going to Roxborough as much because they don't allow dogs. Speaking of the dog, I like taking her to Cherry Creek State Park's off leash dog area. Golden Gate Canyon is decent as well. I really want to get up to State Forest State Park as I've heard great things.

[Chicago Transplant]

I thought it was automatically added and you have to opt out, not opt in? I am up for registration next month and plan to accept the Parks Pass, but just want to clear that up.

As far visiting the parks, State Forest has some high 12ers in it. It is the west side access for the Rawahs and is the side of the range that was unaffected by the Cameron Fire. Eldorado Canyon and Golden Gate in the Front Range and Rifle Falls/Gap and Sylvan Lake out more to the west are all ones I have been to in the past. Some good hiking, some have rock climing as well.

[ScottLovesRMNP]

I climbed Clark Peak in State Forest State Park which is the highest point in Grand County (just shy of 13,000 feet) and had it to myself in October. Beautiful views up there.

El Dorado near Boulder is very popular for rock climbing and is a pretty area. Cheyenne Mountain near Colo Springs has some nice trails for off-season or shoulder season to stretch your legs. Roxborough SP has beautiful topography but would suggest a weekday as it’s close to Denver. Another one with a lot of miles of trails and beautiful aspens in the fall is Mueller SP not far from the Crags Campground on Pikes. Same for Staunton SP — nice trails and lots of aspens. Some of the best aspens I’ve seen are at Golden Gate SP right around October 1. Good trails there too!

You certainly aren’t going to get that high altitude snow/alpine experience from the state parks (I’ve been to about half of them in Colorado), but I’ve enjoyed dropping by them in for some low-commitment exercise during the off-season.

Then, during high summer, I’ve had a few peak-bagging trips that involved multiple nights of sleeping in my car. It was nice to go in on my state parks pass to one nearby (e.g. Ridgway SP is fairly close to Yankee Boy Basin) to take a shower and clean up a bit at the campground facilities, which are actually well-maintained.

[Cygnus X1]

As Chicago Transplant pointed out, the pass is automatically added to your vehicle registration unless you opt out. I haven't had a vehicle come up for renewal yet and I intend to get one, but I think it's a very underhanded way for the State to go about it. To me, it should be opt in.

Daway8 - is the pass you receive tied to the license plate? My wife's vehicle is our first to renew (next month) but I would like to be able to put the pass on my truck since it doesn't renew until October.

[dwoodward13]

As Chicago Transplant pointed out, the pass is automatically added to your vehicle registration unless you opt out. I haven't had a vehicle come up for renewal yet and I intend to get one, but I think it's a very underhanded way for the State to go about it. To me, it should be opt in.

Daway8 - is the pass you receive tied to the license plate? My wife's vehicle is our first to renew (next month) but I would like to be able to put the pass on my truck since it doesn't renew until October.

A logo is printed on your vehicle registration card. You show the registration card to the ranger and they let you through. There won't be the traditional windshield pass anymore (unless you buy the "standard" pass).

[curt86iroc]

As Chicago Transplant pointed out, the pass is automatically added to your vehicle registration unless you opt out. I haven't had a vehicle come up for renewal yet and I intend to get one, but I think it's a very underhanded way for the State to go about it. To me, it should be opt in.

it is VERY clear on your registration paperwork that you can opt in or out. nothing underhanded at all. we did my wife's car a few weeks ago.

[Cygnus X1]

A logo is printed on your vehicle registration card. You show the registration card to the ranger and they let you through. There won't be the traditional windshield pass anymore (unless you buy the "standard" pass).

Figured something like that would be the case but had to ask.

[DaveLanders]

Will this be good for State Wildlife Areas also?