Keep Colorado Wild Pass Raises $43.2 Million
The optional pass generated more than $43.2 million in fiscal 2026, funding state parks, wildlife conservation and backcountry safety programs.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in National Parks
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Colorado Parks and Wildlife sold about 1.6 million Keep Colorado Wild Passes in fiscal 2026, generating more than $43.2 million, a 5% increase in pass sales from the prior year. Since its launch in January 2023, the pass has generated approximately $146 million through June 30, 2026.
Why it matters
The revenue supports state park upkeep, wildlife conservation, backcountry search and rescue, and avalanche safety, offering Colorado residents a lower-cost way to access the state's parks. The pass is an optional add-on available at vehicle registration.
Fiscal 2026 pass revenue of $43.2 million, from about 1.6 million passes sold, rose from $41 million in fiscal 2025 and brings cumulative revenue since January 2023 to about $146 million. The source does not address how revenue will trend in coming years.
The players
Colorado Parks and Wildlife
The state agency that manages Colorado's state parks, wildlife programs and outdoor recreation, and that sells the Keep Colorado Wild Pass.
Keep Colorado Wild Act
A 2021 Colorado law that created the pass and directs its revenue to parks, wildlife conservation and public safety programs.
The details
The optional $29 annual pass is available to Colorado residents when registering passenger vehicles, light trucks, motorcycles and recreational vehicles. It grants entry to 43 state parks at a 60% discount compared with a traditional annual state parks pass.
Timeline
January 2023: Keep Colorado Wild Pass launched.
Fiscal 2025: About 1.5 million passes sold, generating $41 million.
Fiscal 2026: About 1.6 million passes sold, generating $43.2 million.
June 30, 2026: Cumulative pass revenue reached approximately $146 million.
Nov. 4, 2026: 2026 Keep Colorado Wild Act Report scheduled for release.
Legal Context
The pass was created under the Keep Colorado Wild Act of 2021 and is a dedicated funding model that ties optional vehicle-registration purchases to state park maintenance and public safety. Its roughly $146 million cumulative revenue since 2023 shows steady growth in the program's use.
Colorado residents registering eligible vehicles can add the $29 pass to access 43 state parks at a discount compared with a traditional annual state parks pass. Travelers planning park visits should check which parks are covered before purchasing.
The takeaway
For Colorado residents who visit state parks regularly, the $29 pass can be a cost-effective option at vehicle registration.
What happens next
The 2026 Keep Colorado Wild Act Report is scheduled for release on Nov. 4, 2026, and will detail how pass revenue was spent.
Further reading
Explore more on National Parks in Colorado for context on how the state funds its parks.
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