I realize this is a little on the wordy side, however to sum it up, Colorado
State Parks are faced with a massive budget cut which WILL result in closure
of many of Colorado's state parks, and limited access to some others. PLEASE
take the time to write the representatives a letter opposing the budget
cuts.
March 10, 2004
Dear Community Leader,
This letter serves as Colorado Parks and Recreation Association’s formal request to you to contact your state legislators and ask them not to reduce General Fund support to Colorado State Parks, and to continue funding State Parks’ operating budget
at its current level.
On March 1, the Joint Budget Committee of the Colorado General Assembly recommended a 50% reduction in General Fund support to the operating budget of Colorado State Parks. Unfortunately, the agency cannot undergo a budget reduction of
this magnitude without some combination of partial and complete park closures.
Under this proposed budget cut scenario, Colorado State Parks would be forced close at least 10 parks 2-3 days a week, and completely close at least 10 additional parks.
Over the past two years, the State Parks operating budget funded by Colorado’s General Fund was reduced by 30%. These previous reductions required State Parks to close
management offices and lay off full-time and seasonal employees, and forced State Parks to increase user fees and to drastically reduce discounts for senior citizens.
Currently, State Parks receives only .0034% of the State General Fund. In essence, Colorado State Parks receives just over 50 cents in General Fund support per visitor per year. This is a very small amount to pay for a public program that serves 11 million
visitors per year. In 2003, Colorado State Parks ranked fifth lowest nationwide in general fund support among state parks systems that receive general fund dollars.
Colorado State Parks have a huge impact on both the local and statewide levels, providing an estimated $200 million in economic expenditures within communities in a 50-mile radius of the parks. Visitors to the parks stay in your communities longer,
resulting in a boost to local businesses and in substantial support to the tourism industry around Colorado.
In addition to economic benefits, Colorado State Parks provide a safe, clean and affordable destination for us all. They promote a healthy quality of life through quality facilities, clean campgrounds, scenic landscapes, lakes and reservoirs and
maintained trails. They generate pride and bring about community involvement through service and volunteer projects. We cannot let these valuable resources fall by the wayside.
The Colorado Parks and Recreation Association is asking you to take immediate action.
In this packet you will find the following information:
1. A listing of the State Parks that would be affected by General Fund budget cuts, and a description of the negative impacts that will take place at these parks.
2. Facts and bullet points that you can use to craft your call to action to your state legislators.
3. Contact information for legislative representatives in your area and the members of the Joint Budget Committee. Please write a letter, send an email, or make a phone call to state legislators in your area, urging them to stop these cuts. With your help, we prevent parks from closing and halt the slow degeneration of Colorado’s world-renowned outdoor recreation opportunities
and experiences. Your urgent action is essential. The committee will make a final budget decision by the middle of March. If we all work together, we can take an active role in preserving
Colorado State Parks and the benefits they provide to the people of this state.
Sincerely,
Barbara M. Wisney
Barbara M. Wisney, Director
Colorado Parks and Recreation Association
Colorado State Parks operates 40 state parks, all of which are open to the public seven days a week. Three parks (Cheyenne Mountain, Lone Mesa, and Staunton) are currently
under development. If cuts are made to State Parks’ General Fund support, many parks could face a significant reduction in full-time staff, seasonal staff, and days of operation. park potential impact of General Fund cut Barr Lake Partial or full closure of park
Bonny Park closed 2-3 days a week
Cheyenne Mountain Development delayed
Crawford Partial or full closure of park
Harvey Gap Partial or full closure of park
Jackson Lake Park closed 2-3 days a week
John Martin Park closed 2-3 days a week
Lathrop Park closed 2-3 days a week
Lone Mesa Development delayed
Lory Partial or full closure of park
Mancos Partial or full closure of park
Mueller Park closed 2-3 days a week
Navajo Park closed 2-3 days a week
North Sterling Park closed 2-3 days a week
Paonia Partial or full closure of park
Roxborough Partial or full closure of park
San Luis Partial or full closure of park
Spinney Partial or full closure of park
St. Vrain Park closed 2-3 days a week
Stagecoach Partial or full closure of park
State Forest Park closed 2-3 days a week
Staunton Development delayed
Sweitzer Partial or full closure of park
Trinidad Park closed 2-3 days a week
Vega Park closed 2-3 days a week
IMPORTANT POINTS TO MAKE IN SUPPORT OF STATE PARKS
A. ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF STATE PARKS
Our nearby State Park plays a vital role in our local economy and any
funding cuts would
undermine our efforts to keep our local economy strong. The park plays a key
role in
attracting tourists, and their subsequent spending, to our area. These
tourist dollars are
spent at local businesses supporting activities in the park. Purchases like
gasoline, food,
supplies and clothing. If the parks are not funded and no longer maintained,
negative word of
mouth experiences will cause visitation and revenues to decrease.
State Parks generates revenue within the surrounding communities – Colorado
State Parks
generate an estimated $200 million in economic expenditures within local
communities.
Visitors to parks stay in the community longer, take advantage of local
business and support
the tourism industry around the state.
The largest travel market in Colorado is the VFR group—visiting friends and
relatives. They
spend a lot of money in our State Parks for their outdoor recreation
activities in Colorado.
But, State Parks offer more than just recreational opportunities for
visiting family and friends.
Due to the construction of visitor centers and meeting facilities, the parks
can be used and
enjoyed year round.
Each of our State Parks is an important marketing tool for our CVB. We
market the park and
its activities and facilities not only to the leisure traveler and outdoor
enthusiast, but to the
tour group planner for bus tours and to the meeting planner as a meeting and
reception
venue. We also market park activities and facilities to local and regional
civic organizations
and school groups.
B. COMMUNITY BENEFITS OF STATE PARKS
Recreation is the biggest contributing factor to creating strong and
supportive families.
Colorado State Parks provide a safe, clean, affordable and friendly
atmosphere for families to
enjoy outdoor recreation. Shared leisure activities are essential for
building and maintaining a
strong, healthy relationship between parents and children.
Recreational opportunities, proximity to open space and quality of
recreational facilities are
vital components to a positive feeling towards the quality of one’s life.
