The 2026 Colorado legislative session began January 14. to date, 2 bills that CWF is following closely have been introduced:
HR 26-1008, Colorado Outdoor Opportunities Act, “Concerning measures to enhance outdoor recreation opportunities in the State, and, in connection therewith, expanding the Division of Parks and Wildlife’s capability for outdoor recreation coordination, planning, and management.” The bill has been assigned to the House Agriculture, Water and Natural Resources Committee. Sponsors are Representatives Luken and Taggart and Senators Marchman and Rich. The bill is set for hearing on February 23. https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_files/110680/download
CWF is following this bill closely and participates with several other organizations to request certain language additions/changes that would necessitate an amendment to the bill. One concern is need for language to clarify that wildlife conservation be accorded an equal seat at the table for Colorado Parks and Wildlife priorities and ongoing work . Another concern is the need to clarify that wildlife cash funds will not be expended to implement this bill but rather parks funds will be the source for expenditures.
SB 26-030, Local Access State Parks Grant Program. This bill would modify how, “after allocation of the first $36 million paid by motorists into the Keep Colorado Wild pass fund, any remaining money is allocated. The bill would create the state park and state wildlife area cash fund to support local governments in efforts to improve roads and other infrastructure that provide local access to state parks and state wildlife areas accessed from within a local government’s boundary (local access). ” The bill was assigned to the Senate State, Veterans & MiIitary Affairs Committee and heard I on February 10. Sponsor is Senator Baisley. https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_files/110742/download the bill failed on a 1-4 vote andlaid over. CWF testified in opposition to the bill. T he reason we ooposed is that the Keep Colorado Wild pass fund proceeds after the first $36 million are designated under the 2021 legislation to be allocated to the wildife cash fund and the parks fund. The wildlife cash fund includes the Colorado State Wildlife Action Plan. There are 182 vulnerable species and their habitats that require research and habitat restoration work We acknolwlege the great financial expenses faced by counties for maintenance of roads leading into state parks and state wildlife areas. But,eliminating the uses of the Fund after the first $36 milliom is not the so;lution. We need, instead, a process for all of the parties to sit down together and work through this serious funding need the counties are facing.
CWF is studying this bill. We note that the proposed modification would decrease any funds available (after allocation of the first $36 million) for existing prescribed allocations for wildlife related and other uses. In addition, a bill signed into law in 2023 (SB 23-059) already required the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Commission to promulgate rules authorizing a local government to request that CPW charge an additional per vehicle fee of $2 for a daily pass to a state park or state wildlife area within the local government’s boundary. CPW Commission did so and Routt County successfully petitioned the Commission ( November 2025) for the $2 entry fee increase for access into 3 state parks to help maintain associated county roads.
CWF also is following other bills that are expected to be introduced soon and will update this website page as new developments occur.