NEWS RELEASES
Editor's Note: This news item was retrieved and first published through the Monte Vista Journal's website.
The State Parks Improvement Bill, which allows a one-time infusion from the General Fund to make important capacity improvements across the state parks system, advances as the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee voted 4-1 in favor. Sponsored by Colorado Senate President Leroy Garcia, the bill will need to head to the Senate Finance Committee for review before heading to the Senate Floor.
According to a news article in the Monte Vista Journal, improvements to the parks will include maintenance, operational costs, upgraded trails, bathrooms, parking and visitor facilities. The bill would also officially establish Fishers Peak and the land surrounding it, as Colorado’s newest state park. Garcia is quoted saying, "With added visitors and increasing climate challenges, our state parks have been taking a beating. And that problem has only ballooned by a decade long cut in funding." In the past, the legislature invested over 5 million dollars annually from the General Fund in the state parks system, but that appropriation was zeroed-out in 2012.
Learn more on the new piece of legislation in the full article.