Keep Colorado Wild Pass raises $43.2M to support state parks, wildlife conservation, and county search and rescue teams

DENVER ~ Colorado Parks and Wildlife has published its 2026 Keep Colorado Wild Act report, detailing how revenue from an optional vehicle-registration pass supports state parks, wildlife conservation and outdoor recreation.

The Keep Colorado Wild Pass has generated about $146 million since it became available in January 2023, through June 30, 2026, according to CPW. In fiscal year 2026, the agency sold about 1.6 million passes, a 5% increase from the previous fiscal year, bringing in more than $43.2 million. About 1.5 million passes were sold in fiscal year 2025, generating $41 million, up 3% from the year before.

Created under the 2021 Keep Colorado Wild Act, the pass costs Colorado residents $29 annually and can be added when registering passenger vehicles, light trucks, motorcycles and recreational vehicles. It provides entry to 43 state parks and costs 60% less than a traditional annual state parks pass, CPW said.

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The first $32.5 million in pass revenue is dedicated to state park maintenance and staffing. Of the remaining funds, $2.5 million goes to the Colorado Backcountry Search and Rescue Program and $1 million to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. The rest is allocated to the Wildlife Cash Fund and the Parks and Outdoor Recreation Cash Fund.

CPW said the funding also supports trail stewardship and river recreation, new state parks developed with local governments, conservation of vulnerable species and habitats, and community-led conservation and recreation planning. Other priorities include backcountry safety education and efforts to make outdoor recreation more accessible.

"Colorado is known for our grand outdoor spaces, offering Coloradans and visitors an amazing variety of world-class outdoor recreational activities," Gov. Jared Polis said in a statement. He said the state invests in conservation to preserve parks, protect ecosystems and ensure they remain accessible.

The report outlines 10 goals for the pass revenue, including supporting search-and-rescue volunteers, improving avalanche safety and expanding CPW's capacity to address recreation beyond state parks, including on federal lands.

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