With an increasing demand for outdoor activities, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) has allocated $2.25 million in funds to enhance the support for local search and rescue volunteers. Recognizing the critical role these teams play, CPW's distribution of funding extends across 36 counties, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife. This contribution is aimed at reinforcing the efforts of the 100 percent volunteer-based organizations that are specifically designed to readily assist those faced with emergencies in Colorado's vast backcountry.
The funding initiative comes as part of the state's Backcountry Search and Rescue Program (BSAR), which actively sells products that contribute directly to these teams. The items, such as the Colorado Outdoor Recreation Search and Rescue Card, as well as a nominal search and rescue fee of twenty-five cents added on to fishing and hunting licenses and OHV registrations, have become a pivotal source of income for the backcountry rescue infrastructure. In a bid to substantially increase BSAR funding, CPW launched the Keep Colorado Wild Pass in 2023. It is expected to continuously provide $2.5 million annually from sales, to be used for rescuer training, acquiring vital equipment, and mental health programs, among other initiatives.
CPW BSAR Manager Perry Boydstun expressed admiration for the dedicated volunteers, stating that "These types of outdoor rescues often require a specific type of training and gear, so it's really important for the state to provide our local teams with the resources they need to complete rescues without jeopardizing their own safety," as obtained by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. CPW's contributions help ease the financial burden that often weighs down these volunteer groups, ensuring they can maintain a readiness to respond to backcountry emergencies effectively.
In the previous year, the Keep Colorado Wild Pass revenue amounted to $1.5 million, with an additional $480,000 in traditional funds being distributed to 33 counties. The allocation process for CPW BSAR funding involves an application paired with incident reimbursement forms, enabling counties to appropriately use funds for equipment, vehicles, mental health services, and other critical expenses. The flexible nature of this funding is designed to adapt and address the changing needs and priorities of the respective counties over time.
