Colorado Backcountry Search and Rescue surcharge fee increases to better support local search-and-rescue volunteers

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is increasing the Colorado Backcountry Search and Rescue Program (BSAR) fee on wildlife licenses and boat, snowmobile and off-highway vehicle (OHV) registrations to $1.25 to increase funding support for county search-and-rescue teams and local volunteers.

The previous BSAR fee was set at 25 cents and has not changed since 1987. The newly increased fee, now adjusted to $1.25, is a necessary step to reflect the current customer price index, taking into account inflation, as well as the increase in search-and-rescue incident responses and the number of highly challenging and risky rescues over the last 15 years.

In response to significantly more calls for help, the cost of search-and-rescue administration, training and equipment has also increased over the years, necessitating this fee increase. Current law dictates that CPW has one opportunity to increase the BSAR fee to a base level, after which point this fee may only be increased by the Consumer Price Index.

Colorado is home to around 50 search-and-rescue organizations, which are 100% volunteer-based and provide search-and-rescue services free of charge to individuals lost, injured or stranded in the backcountry. While these organizations are county-based and coordinated through county sheriffs or county governments, CPW provides support and funding from the statewide level.

CPW sells products that incorporate funding for search-and-rescue teams, including the Colorado Outdoor Recreation Search and Rescue Card and the Keep Colorado Wild Pass. These are crucial as the demand for outdoor recreation increases in Colorado, directly impacting the need for search-and-rescue services. Outdoor enthusiasts from various recreational communities, who hunt, fish, boat, hike, snowmobile and drive OHVs in Colorado, all contribute to the Colorado BSAR fund.

CPW BSAR funding is distributed through incident reimbursement forms and a county allocation application process. Counties may use funds to purchase equipment, training, vehicles, small capital improvement projects, mental health services, communications, computer software, maintenance and some fixed costs.

For more information on CPW’s Backcountry Search and Rescue Program, visit cpw.state.co.us/backcountry-search-and-rescue-program.



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