$20M in capital improvements planned at state parks

Jackson Lake, North Sterling to see campsite upgrades

Coloradostate parkswill 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 acomponentofabipartisan stimulus effortdeveloped by the Governor and theGeneral Assembly to jumpstartColorado’s economy through investments in infrastructureprojects.

This conservation-focusedlegislation will help direct funds to outdoor projects in Colorado that protect irreplaceable public lands and expand outdoor recreation opportunitiesinthe state.The bill was signed at Cherry CreekState Park, one of the parks that will receive funding to expand park facilities, whichincludes theconstruction of anew educational center facility and modernize restroom amenities at the swimbeach.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Coloradostate parkssaw explosive growth in park attendance as Coloradoresidents and out-of-state visitors soughtoutdoor and socially distanced activities. State parks usage grew by 2.2million visitor

days from the 2014-15statefiscal year andafurther 30 percent during the spring of 2020.

CPW will use the additional funding towardparkenhancements and expansions necessary to meet the needs of park visitors and upgrade infrastructures to ensureColorado state parks offer quality outdoor adventuresfor current and futuregenerations. Examples of park projects will include buildingnew trails, service buildings, campgrounds and shooting bays.

“Throughout the pandemic, we watched our Colorado community flock to ourstate parks in record numbers for solace and the mental and health benefits associatedwith spending time outdoors,” said Governor Jared Polis. “The increase in parkvisitation proves the importance of outdoor spaces to Coloradans, and our collective need to invest in preserving and improving our statepark system so our human use does not overwhelm our state’s natural resources. This increased funding, which is partofColorado’s bipartisan stimulus package, will provide additional access and recreational opportunities that connect people to the outdoors and protectthe

landscapes thatmake Colorado so spectacular.”

Accelerating thedevelopment of Colorado’s newest statepark, Fishers Peak State Park, and improving amenities at eleven other state parkswill relieve pressurefrom such high usage and preparefor futuredemand.

“I applaud theleadership of the Governor and state legislators for the additionalcritical funding for our treasured state parks,” said Dan Gibbs, Director,Colorado Department of NaturalResources. “The importance of our state parks and visiting our vastGreat Outdoors has never been moreimportant than today.This targeted funding will enhance Coloradan’s visitor experience to ourstate parksfor 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 CreekStatePark •Arkansas HeadwatersRecreation Area •Ridgway StatePark •Steamboat Lake State Park •North Sterling State Park •Chatfield StatePark

•Jackson Lake State Park •Navajo State Park •CameoShooting and Education Complex

“Weall have an obligation to our lands, waters and wildlife to recreate responsiblyand monitor how our increased outdooractivities impact the places we play,” said CPW Director Dan Prenzlow. “MoreColoradans areenjoying our great outdoors -and this additional funding will help our agency expand park facilitiesbased on the evolving needs of our park visitors to ensurewecanmaintain aquality park system for years to come.”

North Sterling is projected to receive $714,400 from the bill to upgradethe Elks and Chimney View campgrounds.This project will provide 50 upgraded sitesand 25 new sitesfor electric camping spots. TheElksCampgroundhas 50 sites that need to be upgraded to a50 ampereelectric supply, and the Chimney View Campground has 44 sites with no electricity at all. RVusers currently experience problems with breakers at many campsites, and increased usage has tripped the breakers at many group sitesover the summer.This project will provide better custom-

er service through an upgraded system that provides the electricity the public demands while reducing staff timetorespondtocomplaints and repair electrical systems. Jackson Lake is slatedfor 721,000for improvements on the oxhillscampground, which is the

park’s largest campground and contains 90 non-electric campsites. This project will increase the number of electric sites (the campground’s mostutilized sites) available to thepublic.

ColoradoParks and Wildlife currently manages Colorado’s 42 state

parks. State parks offer important places for outdoor recreation while also benefiting local economies, public health andresidents’ quality of life. Public funding for state parks provides valuable contributions to conserving state lands for futuregenerations.

CPW remains committed to collaborating with statewide conservation stakeholders and recreation partners to help secureaquality park systemand successful wildlife legacy for Colorado. To learn more about CPW’s conservation principles and priorities,visit cpw.state.co.us.