Seeking to increase funding to better take care of its state wildlife areas (SWA) and assist the financial burden solely shouldered by hunters and anglers, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Commission unanimously voted to approve a new Colorado State Wildlife Area Pass.
CPW currently manages more than 350 SWAs with dollars from hunting and fishing licenses. Those funds are also matched with federal income from the excise taxes collected on the sale of hunting and fishing equipment.
“This is an important step in ensuring everyone who visits our state wildlife areas is contributing to their management and maintenance,” said CPW Director Dan Prenzlow.
While these SWAs provide critical wildlife habitat, they also gained significant value for outdoor recreationists over the years. Because these properties have always been open to the public, not just to the hunters and anglers that purchased them and pay for their maintenance, many people now visit these properties and use them as they would any other public land.
The new pass goes on sale May 1, 2021.
Find more information here.
(Photo source: Colorado Parks and Wildlife)