DENVER — There are currently 41 state parks across the great state of Colorado.
These parks offer some of the state's most beautiful and unique natural features, including high mountain lakes, wildlife viewing, and world class hiking and camping.
Each year the parks are seeing more and more visitors. Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) says this is just one reason they are looking into opening new state parks.
The agency says state parks offer important places for outdoor recreation while benefiting local economies, public health, and quality of life. In 2018, the Colorado General Assembly also passed the Future Generations Act, which calls on CPW to plan for development of news state parks.
CPW has provide a list (seen below) of criteria the agency uses to evaluate properties that could potentially become state parks.
• Outstanding nature-based recreation
• Natural resource value and conservation
• Meets Colorado’s needs
• Relevance and community value
• Financial sustainability
“As CPW considers possible new properties, we want to hear from the public about what characteristics and qualities they would like to experience at future state parks,” said Dan Prenzlow, director of Colorado Parks and Wildlife. “Our vision is that Colorado’s state parks connect people to natural wonders. Every state park should offer a unique place to experience Colorado and live life outside.”
CPW has provided a more detailed description of the criteria considered as well as place to provide comment on potential new state parks here: Future State Parks.
The public comment period for this issue is open until Thursday, Aug. 15th. CPW said following public review, the agency will consider comments, revise criteria, and present a final version of plans to the Parks and Wildlife Commission and the public in September of 2019.
