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DENVER, CO – The House Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Committee today passed bipartisan legislation to waive Colorado's state park entry entry fees for Ute tribe members.
“The Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and the Southern Ute Indian Tribe were the original stewards of the land in our state parks long before Colorado was a state – this bill ensures Ute Tribal members can enter state parks for free,” said Rep. Katie Stewart, D-Durango. “Ute tradition, oral history and stewardship of these lands date back to time immemorial. From Mancos State Park in Southwest Colorado, to Staunton State Park in the foothills, this bill supports ancestral land reconnection for the oldest continuous residents of our state.”
HB25-1163 passed committee by a vote of 13-0, and is also sponsored by Representative Rick Taggart, R-Grand Junction. This bill would waive the entrance fee to all of Colorado’s state parks for enrolled Tribal members of The Southern Ute Indian Tribe and Ute Mountain Ute Tribe. There are 43 state parks in Colorado located in communities across the state.
This bill aims to formally recognize the profound cultural and spiritual connections Ute Tribal members have to the land. HB25-1163 will reduce barriers to accessing outdoor space while modifying governmental systems which have historically excluded Indigenous people.
The bill is supported by Ute Tribal Leaders, Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Department of Natural Resources.