Keep Colorado Wild Pass raises $41M for Colorado state parks, search and rescue volunteers, and avalanche safety

More than 1.5 million Coloradans opted to buy a Keep Colorado Wild Pass during its second year of being on sale, which generated $41 million to support Colorado state parks, local search and rescue volunteers and the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) set a goal to raise $36 million annually from pass sales. The first $32.5 million goes toward state park maintenance and development; the next $2.5 million goes toward search and rescue teams, and $1 million to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC). Any revenue beyond that will go to wildlife projects and outdoor educational programs.

“We’re proud to see so many Coloradans saving money by taking advantage of the low-cost Keep Colorado Wild pass, and we expect these numbers to continue growing as the popularity of our iconic state parks only increases. With these passes, Coloradans are investing back into the lands they love while exploring all our great state has to offer,” said Governor Jared Polis.

CPW and the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) launched the new $29 Keep Colorado Wild Pass in Jan. 2023. The first fiscal year of Keep Colorado Wild Pass sales ended on June 30, 2024, with revenue reaching $39.7 million.

“We’re excited to report on the Keep Colorado Wild Pass’s success during its second year of operations,” said CPW Chief Financial Officer Justin Rutter. “This is a meaningful increase in revenue for our agency compared to previous years, which is an important source for our state parks, wildlife, search and rescue volunteers, and avalanche forecasters.”

The Keep Colorado Wild Pass offers a 60 percent savings compared to a traditional $80 annual state park pass and provides car, bike, and foot entry into all Colorado state parks.

Coloradans can opt in or opt out of the pass annually when registering a passenger vehicle, light truck, motorcycle, or recreational vehicle with the DMV. When a resident buys a Keep Colorado Wild Pass, the park pass is a Colorado Parks and Wildlife logo printed on the DMV-issued vehicle registration card.



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