2017 Colorado Legislative Conservation Scorecard

Colorado Parks and Wildlife relies on revenue from user fees to cover expenses like repairing natural habitats, ensuring public safety, and maintaining recreation areas. However, the revenue from these fees has not kept pace with operational costs and inflation in recent years. As a result, the agency’s budget has been reduced by $40 million in the last eight years. This bill would have allowed the Parks and Wildlife Commission to address these financial issues by setting appropriate user fees. An adequately-funded and well-managed state wildlife agency can boost sustainable and diverse economic development, especially in rural areas. This is because hunting, fishing, and wildlife watching generate about $6 billion in economic impact, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

Bill Sponsors: Representatives Jeni Arndt and James Wilson, Senators Stephen Fenberg and Don Coram