Colorado state park system failing the people.

 COLORADO SPRINGS - A senior citizen's vehicle pass nearly tripled in cost
while other annual vehicle passes increased 10 percent under a set of fee
hikes adopted today by the Colorado State Parks Board.

Board members also eliminated free weekday camping privileges for seniors
and decided to charge them 50 percent of all current fees on weekdays and
full rates on weekends.

The board established the rate hikes to cut in half a $3.5 million
shortfall caused by a drop in visits blamed on the drought and a tourism
decline that began after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

While the annual vehicle entrance pass will increase from $50 to $55, the
"Aspen Leaf" pass for senior citizens will increase from $10 to $27.

The board also approved a $12.50 annual vehicle pass for residents with
limited incomes, increased boat registration fees and established a
nonresident $20 snowmobile permit.

The fees take effect on Jan. 1.

Advertisement

During a recent series of public hearings around the state, board members
said seniors were emphatic that they should be allowed access to parks at
reduced rates.

"Seniors consistently say they have been paying taxes all of their lives.
They're good stewards; they keep it clean and orderly," board member
Edward Callaway of Mount Crested Butte said.

Callaway tried unsuccessfully to set the salary level for the
limited-income pass at $40,000 for a family of four, up from $20,500.
"Let's open up our parks to people who are economically challenged," he said.

To comply with a new state law, the board also eliminated a ban on
concealed weapons and said it will allow those with permits and photo
identification to carry them in state parks.

Parks Director Lyle Laverty said he understood the frustration of
lawmakers who have complained that the state has imposed too many fees to
cope with $1 billion budget shortfalls in each of the past two years.

He said he has discussed the problem with the Joint Budget Committee,
which must be notified of fee increases.

"They understand the dilemma we are in and we understand the dilemma they
are in. We have looked at other parks systems around the country and we're
very competitive," he said.

A summary of the new fees approved today:

- Annual vehicle entrance passes will increase from $50 to $55.

- Limited income annual vehicle passes will be sold for $12.50.

- Aspen Leaf annual vehicle passes for seniors will increase from $10 to
$27, with the age raised from 62 to 64.

- Free weekday camping for seniors will be eliminated, and seniors will
pay 50 percent of the daily fees of $20 for camping sites with electricity
and water, $16 for electricity only, $12 for basic camping and the $7 now
charged for primitive camping sites.

- Boat registration fees will increase to $25 for vessels less than 20
feet, $30 up to 29 feet, and $50 over 30 feet.

- A new $20 permit was established for nonresident snowmobilers, modeled
on programs in Wyoming, Utah and Idaho.