Colorado State Park Passes Tied to Vehicle Registration

In March, the agency announced that the fee for state park passes would be added to vehicle registrations. Details about how the fee would work were still being worked out.

On Friday, the agency provided details about the changes. The pass is only available to Colorado residents during the registration process. The fee is included in the total price of the vehicle registration unless the owner chooses to opt-out. The CPW logo will appear on the registration card of the vehicle.

You can decline or subtract the cost of the pass from the total price of your vehicle registration by registering it online, in person, or through mail-in options. Regular-priced passes for Colorado state parks will still be available for purchase. Usually $84, the passes will be $29 to access all 43 state parks throughout the year.

Since vehicle registrations happen throughout the year, the agency created a refund policy for those who might have a valid annual pass with the Keep Colorado Wild Pass. The commission of the agency approved the refund options in September.

The agency's policy provides that the refund amount will be based on the original price of the pass, which is usually divided by 12 months. The amount will also be adjusted to the nearest dollar.

No refunds will be issued for passes that have been used for nine months or more. After 60 days following the purchase date of the pass, residents can file for a refund through the agency's online platform.

After the pass has been registered, the card will be sent to the customer's account in the system used for phone or online purchases. Other refunds can be issued as a gift certificate or a check.

The agency noted that the refunds will only be issued for the first two years following the implementation of the pass in 2023 and 2024. This ensures that the passes will cover all of the overlaps and gaps that could occur before all Colorado-plated vehicles can purchase the pass.

The KCW Pass has been used to fund various programs and activities operated by the agency, such as search and rescue missions and wildlife conservation. Those eligible for tax-exempt military plates can register their vehicles with the KCW Pass.

Existing free and reduced-price passes for Colorado's state parks, such as the Blue Spruce, Columbine, Independence, and Centennial, will still be available to customers through authorization from the agency.