State Parks will suspend entrance fees on Colorado Day

SUBMITTED BY: Deb Frazier, Colorado State Parks

DENVER – Colorado State Parks will celebrate Colorado Day on Monday, Aug. 2 by offering free entrance at all 42 state parks.

Colorado Day was created by the state legislature to mark the anniversary of statehood, granted in 1876 by President Ulysses S. Grant. Free entrance at the state parks is an annual Colorado Day tradition.

“We’re inviting Coloradans to get outdoors at the state parks, enjoy the natural beauty of these places and experience all the recreational activities that the parks have to offer,” said Dean Winstanley, Colorado State Parks Director. “Colorado Day is an annual thanks to all our visitors for their support and to give people who have never visited a chance to experience the great activities in state parks.”

All other fees, including camping and reservation fees, will remain in effect on Aug. 2.

The state parks, scattered throughout Colorado, showcase the state’s diverse landscapes, including the prairies of the eastern plains at John Martin Reservoir State Park, the alpine beauty of the mountains at Sylvan Lake State Park near Eagle and the unique geological landscapes at Roxborough State Park. There also are plenty of opportunities to enjoy Colorado’s rivers at James M. Robb-Colorado River State Park near Grand Junction, the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area in Salida and at Yampa River State Park near Craig, as well as the reservoirs at Lake Pueblo State Park, North Sterling State Park and Navajo State Park near Durango.

Chatfield State Park and Cherry Creek State Park in the Denver metro area are the most popular state parks, but Colorado Days offers a chance to sample Golden Gate Canyon State Park, Castlewood Canyon State Park and Barr Lake State Park, which are all within an hour drive of Denver.

There is a huge variety of recreational opportunities at all Colorado State Parks. Float your boat, kayak or raft a river, or ride a jet-ski. View diverse wildlife and a multitude of bird species. Catch fish, hike, explore by geo-caching, ride some of the best OHV trails in the state or go horseback riding. Teach your children to fish, camp or learn about nature. Climb a challenging rock face, fly a kite or ride your bike.

Play all day, enjoy a picnic and stay for the sunset. This Colorado Day, be sure to get out to a state park for a fun-filled day that the whole family can enjoy.

Attracting nearly 12 million visitors per year, Colorado’s 42 State Parks are a vital cornerstone of Colorado’s economy and quality of life. Colorado State Parks encompass 225,099 land and water acres, offering some of the best outdoor recreation destinations in the state. Colorado State Parks is a leader in providing opportunities for outdoor recreation, protecting the state’s favorite landscapes, teaching generations about nature and partnering with communities. Colorado State Parks also manage more than 4,100 campsites, and 57 cabins and yurts.

For more information on Colorado State Parks or to purchase an annual pass online, visit www.colorado.gov/parks.