Last year, Colorado State Parks turned 50. To celebrate, Governor Hickenlooper wants to cut $3.3 million from Parks. Bonney Lake, Harvey Gap, Paonia, and Sweitzer Lake State Parks are being “re-purposed”.
To be sure, losing these parks, while tragic, is only part of a larger, sadder, reality as we struggle to climb out of the Great Recession. Finding efficiencies and carving out the waste was good policy two years ago but most agree we are far beyond that now. This year’s cuts really hurt – kids and critters are taking it on the chin.
Over the past 50 years, Colorado has developed one of the finest state park systems in the country. The parks and outdoor recreation programs provided by Colorado State Parks have never been more popular, tallying over 12 million visits last year alone. Investment in the State Parks system provide many benefits statewide, ranging from significant park visitor expenditures in local economies (over $500 million annually), to connecting our citizens and out-of-state visitors to the natural world that defines Colorado. Eliminating State investment in our Parks seriously threatens these reciprocal benefits.
Keeping our State Parks funded and functional not only makes economic sense for the State but also serves as a symbol of strength. Our State Parks remind us of what we value as a citizenry as we make our way out of the worst recession in a generation. Indeed, tourism dollars generated by a healthy, intact State Park system will contribute to the turnaround.
Beyond the loss of the parks, Hickenlooper proposes a $500,000 cut from the State Trails program to fund maintenance and construction of hiking and biking trails in Colorado; elimination of the senior discount Aspen Leaf park pass; a $400,000 cut from the Aquatic Nuisance Species program to prevent zebra mussels from clogging our water delivery infrastructure; and perhaps most disconcerting is a hastening of an analysis to drill for oil and gas in St. Vrain State Park near Longmont.
Certainly, in these tough times we must all make sacrifices. State Parks increased fees across the board last year. While the increases are small enough that they will not deter most Coloradans from enjoying them, our parks are critical for our high quality of life in Colorado and should remain accessible and open to everyone regardless of their economic station. We need to think twice before we shift the burden for Parks onto the backs of the hikers, bikers, fisherman, boaters, and wildlife viewers who visit Parks. Working families need affordable recreation opportunities and exponentially increasing the cost to enter a State Park will only serve to decrease use and, in so doing, revenues.
Regarding revenues, times are so desperate that the Governor is proposing oil and gas drilling in St. Vrain State Park as a means to fund park operations statewide. While some may argue that the park is not the most aesthetically pleasing in the system, drilling a State Park for oil is a dangerous precedent – not to mention a terrible headline for a State perceived to be at the forefront of the new energy economy.
Next year’s budget is expected to be no better; engendering fear about what else will be lost (or drilled). More hits to parks, wildlife, and open space are expected – the very things that make us so proud to live in Colorado. The citizens of Colorado are ready for an honest conversation about revenues and state services and are hopeful that the Governor has the courage to start a thoughtful dialogue on this issue.
Bryan Martin is the Director of Conservation for The Colorado Mountain Club. EDITOR’S NOTE: This is an online-only column and has not been edited.
