Rolling into Colorado with out-of-state plates just got a little pricier. As of May 1, drivers from beyond state lines are being charged $15 a day to enter Colorado state parks, a new nonresident daily pass that applies to dozens of popular recreation spots. The change bumps costs for visitors while leaving Coloradans with lower day-use rates and an optional annual pass tied to vehicle registration.
In a statement to Denver7, Colorado Parks and Wildlife public information officer Kara Van Hoose said, "This fee may be small, but it's going to go towards maintaining campgrounds and new toilets." The agency has also pitched the shift as bringing Colorado in line with other states that charge nonresidents more to enjoy their parks.
What changed and where
The Parks and Wildlife Commission signed off in March on rules that create a plate-based daily vehicle pass specifically for nonresidents. According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, vehicles registered outside Colorado will generally pay $15 per day, with a small group of parks charging $17.
On top of that, local access or water-quality surcharges of $2 still apply at Chatfield, Elkhead Reservoir, Golden Gate Canyon, Pearl Lake, Stagecoach, State Forest, and Steamboat Lake. The commission approved the regulations on March 4, and they officially took effect on May 1.
What visitors will pay
Colorado residents have a couple of options. They can tack the Keep Colorado Wild pass onto their vehicle registration for $29 a year, or they can pay the resident daily vehicle rate, which is about $10 at many parks.
Most out-of-state plates, meanwhile, are now looking at that $15 daily fee. As Denver7 notes, exact prices still vary by park, and a handful of parks add the extra $2 charge on top of the base pass.
Why the change matters
Per Colorado Parks and Wildlife, roughly 22 other states already charge nonresidents higher park fees, and commissioners said switching to a pass tied to license plates is simpler to administer than checking residency at entrance stations.
Regulators have framed the move as a way to increase revenue for campground upkeep and safety work without raising standard fees for vehicles registered in Colorado, essentially asking visitors to chip in a bit more for the infrastructure they use.
How to plan your trip
If you are heading to a Colorado state park this season, check the park's reservation and entry pages for current rates and any local surcharges before you go, since prices can differ from one location to the next.
Colorado residents should look at their vehicle registration for the Keep Colorado Wild mark or ask their county DMV about adding the $29 option. Out-of-state travelers should plan for the higher daily charge and consider locking in reservations early, especially at popular parks where those extra $2 surcharges apply.
