Camping
$20M in capital improvements planned at state parks Jackson Lake, North Sterling to see campsite upgrades
Colorado state parks will be seeing some big improvements in the next year, after Gov. Jared Polis signed Senate Bill 21-112 this spring. The bill appropriates $20 million of the state general fund for capital improvements for increased access at certain state parks. The bill is a component of a bipartisan stimulus effort developed by the Governor and the General Assembly to jumpstart Colorado’s economy through investments in infrastructure projects. This conservation-focused legislation will help direct funds to outdoor projects in Colorado that protect irreplaceable public lands and expand outdoor recreation opportunities in the state. The bill was signed at Cherry Creek State Park, one of the parks that will receive funding to expand park facilities, which includes the construction of a new educational center facility and modernize restroom amenities at the swim beach. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Colorado state parks saw explosive growth in park attendance as Colorado residents and out-of-state visitors sought outdoor and socially distanced activities. State parks usage grew by 2.2 million visitor
days from the 2014-15 state fiscal year and a further 30 percent during the spring of 2020. CPW will use the additional funding toward park enhancements and expansions necessary to meet the needs of park visitors and upgrade infrastructures to ensure Colorado state parks offer quality outdoor adventures for current and future generations. Examples of park projects will include building new trails, service buildings, campgrounds and shooting bays. “Throughout the pandemic, we watched our Colorado community flock to our state parks in record numbers for solace and the mental and health benefits associated with spending time outdoors,” said Governor Jared Polis. “The increase in park visitation proves the importance of outdoor spaces to Coloradans, and our collective need to invest in preserving and improving our state park system so our human use does not overwhelm our state’s natural resources. This increased funding, which is part of Colorado’s bipartisan stimulus package, will provide additional access and recreational opportunities that connect people to the outdoors and protect the
landscapes that make Colorado so spectacular.” Accelerating the development of Colorado’s newest state park, Fishers Peak State Park, and improving amenities at eleven other state parks will relieve pressure from such high usage and prepare for future demand. “I applaud the leadership of the Governor and state legislators for the additional critical funding for our treasured state parks,” said Dan Gibbs, Director, Colorado Department of Natural Resources. “The importance of our state parks and visiting our vast Great Outdoors has never been more important than today. This targeted funding will enhance Coloradan’s visitor experience to our state parks for generations to come.” CPW will use the appropriation for capital construction projects at the following locations: • Boyd Lake State Park • Lake Pueblo State Park • Fishers Peak State Park • Cherry Creek State Park • Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area • Ridgway State Park • Steamboat Lake State Park • North Sterling State Park • Chatfield State Park
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• Jackson Lake State Park • Navajo State Park • Cameo Shooting and Education Complex “We all have an obligation to our lands, waters and wildlife to recreate responsibly and monitor how our increased outdoor activities impact the places we play,” said CPW Director Dan Prenzlow. “More Coloradans are enjoying our great outdoors - and this additional funding will help our agency expand park facilities based on the evolving needs of our park visitors to ensure we can maintain a quality park system for years to come.” North Sterling is projected to receive $714,400 from the bill to upgrade the Elks and Chimney View campgrounds. This project will provide 50 upgraded sites and 25 new sites for electric camping spots. The Elks Campground has 50 sites that need to be upgraded to a 50 ampere electric supply, and the Chimney View Campground has 44 sites with no electricity at all. RV users currently experience problems with breakers at many campsites, and increased usage has tripped the breakers at many group sites over the summer. This project will provide better custom-
See STATE PARKS, pg. 17
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OUTDOORS 2021 SPRING/SUMMER • PRAIRIE MOUNTAIN MEDIA • APRIL 17, 2021 • 15
