Your Colorado vehicle registration will soon include a state parks pass fee if you don't opt out

Colorado vehicle registration fees fund numerous transportation programs, including road construction. Starting next year, those fees will also fund state parks — and give you a discounted pass to visit them.

Unless you opt out.

A state Senate bill signed into law by Gov. Jared Polis created the Keep Colorado Wild Pass to help fund a state park system that saw 17 million visitors in 2020, a 30% increase from the previous year. Colorado Parks and Wildlife does not receive taxpayer money.

Here are some frequently asked questions regarding the pass. For even more information, visit the Colorado Parks and Wildlife FAQ page.

Which vehicle registrations include Colorado's state parks pass option?

Those registering passenger vehicles, light trucks, motorcycles and recreational vehicles will automatically pay $29 for the pass unless they choose to opt out. The pass option will be available for purchase at the same time as you pay for your annual vehicle registration.

How does the discounted pass compare to a regular annual pass to Colorado state parks?

It's $51 cheaper.

How long is the discounted pass valid?

For one year or until the current vehicle registration expires.

What about registering other vehicles?

The pass option will be applicable to each passenger vehicle and will not be transferable between vehicles. Purchasing the pass is not required when registering other vehicles like snowmobiles, boats or OHVs.

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How do I opt out of buying Colorado's state park pass with my vehicle registration?

Colorado Parks and Wildlife will work with the Department of Revenue, Office of Information Technology and county clerks statewide to develop an efficient and transparent opt-out process.

How much will I be charged for a state park entrance fee if I opt out?

You will be charged the existing fee of $10 for a daily pass and $80 for an annual pass.

What are the economic impacts of the pass?

The pass revenue will replace and supplement existing daily and annual parks pass revenue that supports state parks staffing and operations.

The idea behind the pass is to offer a lower-cost park pass option, expanding accessibility to the outdoors for more Coloradans, while generating revenue above the current level.

In fiscal year 2020, the 43-park state park system generated $22 million in funding from entrance fees.

Colorado has more than 5 million passenger vehicles required to be registered annually. The pass will generate about the same amount if 15% of those vehicle owners opt to buy the $29 pass.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife said an expected increase in visitation spurred by the discounted pass will likely result in increased operating costs at parks, offsetting some of those revenue gains.

Will all the funding from the pass go to state parks?

Up to $32.5 million will be directed to the existing 43 state parks. If available, the next $2.5 million will fund search and rescue operations and another $1 million will fund avalanche safety and awareness.

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Revenue above $36 million will be split equally between the Parks Cash Fund for projects like building new state parks and trails and the Wildlife Cash Fund to manage vulnerable species, including wolves.

Reporter Miles Blumhardt looks for stories that impact your life. Be it news, outdoors, sports — you name it, he wants to report it. Have a story idea? Contact him at milesblumhardt@coloradoan.com or on Twitter @MilesBlumhardt. Support his work and that of other Coloradoan journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Colorado to start state parks pass with vehicle registration in 2023