Colorado's outdoor recreation community has a strategic path forward thanks to the new 2025 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) released by Governor Jared Polis and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). Citing formidable numbers, the plan highlights the sector's impact on the economy with outdoor recreation supporting 404,000 jobs and generating $65.8 billion in economic output, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis underscored the significance of the plan in a statement, "This plan lays out a strategic path forward to ensure that everyone can enjoy our great outdoors while building on this economic success," he stressed the balance between enjoyment and conservation of Colorado's natural resources for generations to come. The SCORP, which also draws upon data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, outlines four priority areas, Access and Opportunity, Stewardship, Land, Water and Wildlife Conservation, and Financial Sustainability, to address immediate and long-term needs, as well as the growth in demand for outdoor spaces that have continued even after the peak of the COVID pandemic.
CPW Director Jeff Davis elaborated on the process behind the SCORP, explaining that it was the product of extensive research and engagement with stakeholders – land managers confessed to a survey stating, their top concerns, which included the need for more funding, improved safety, better access for individuals with disabilities and the development and maintenance of trail systems, with 479 land managers providing input that shaped the plan's focus. "Outdoor recreation is essential to Colorado's economy and quality of life," Davis said, as per Colorado Parks and Wildlife, emphasizing the plan's importance in sustaining the state's outdoor heritage.
One notable reflection of the public's passion for the outdoors can be seen in the SCORP public survey, with 72% of Coloradans reporting they engage in outdoor activities at least once a week, this inspires the 2025 SCORP to present actions that support not just recreation but also the wellness of wildlife and ecosystems. "Together, the partners identified priority areas and outlined the goals, objectives, and strategies necessary to balance the needs of those who live and recreate in Colorado with the needs of the wildlife and landscapes that make Colorado recreation exceptional," said Fletcher Jacobs, CPW Assistant Director for Outdoor Recreation and Lands, recognizing the collaborative endeavor that led to the plan which now seeks to integrate climate resilience and foster a stewardship ethic moving forward.
