Colorado’s iconic outdoor recreation is vital to its identity, economy, and quality of life. The public now has a chance to provide feedback on the future of outdoor recreation in Colorado with the release of the draft 2024 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP).
Developed with broad input from public and outdoor recreation and conservation interests, including The Colorado Outdoor Partnership (CO-OP), the draft SCORP lays out a five-year strategy to ensure that Colorado’s outdoor recreation opportunities remain outstanding into the future while addressing challenges, including population growth, climate change, and habitat loss.
“With this statewide plan, Colorado Parks and Wildlife conducted extensive research and stakeholder engagement in order to better understand how recreation resources meet the needs of Coloradans, as well as the challenges and opportunities faced by land managers, and the economic implications of outdoor recreation on the state’s economy,” said Colorado Parks and Wildlife Director Jeff Davis.
According to a new CPW public survey, 72% of Coloradans engage in weekly outdoor recreation, with 81% citing it as vital for their well-being and 90% feeling more positive after participating. Most activities occur at local parks and trails, with walking, hiking, and picnicking being the most popular. Motivations include enjoyment, mental health benefits, and spending time with loved ones, while barriers include lack of time and crowded areas. Public survey results indicate a desire to prioritize future investments on wildlife viewing areas and maintaining existing facilities, while also focusing on long-term planning.
A survey of land managers echoed the need to prioritize maintaining existing infrastructure and ensuring visitor safety. Top management priorities also include improving ADA accessibility, connecting regional trail systems, addressing increased use, and adapting to emerging recreation trends such as e-bikes, pickleball, and stand-up paddleboarding. Tribal land managers highlighted the importance of cultural resource management, incorporating traditional ecological knowledge, expanding youth recreation opportunities, and consulting Tribes on projects impacting historic trails or sites.
A Path Forward
“The draft Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan presents a path forward that aligns conservation efforts with public interests and resource management needs, ensuring a balanced approach to maintaining Colorado’s natural areas amidst growing population and pressures on public lands,” said CPW Director Davis.
Between 2022 and 2023, Colorado’s population grew by 36,500, reaching 5.8 million people, with the Front Range accounting for 90% of this growth. Colorado’s population demographics are also shifting with an aging population and increased racial diversity, especially among younger residents.
One of the challenges highlighted in the draft plan is climate change. Rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns are already impacting outdoor activities. To adapt, the 2024 draft SCORP proposes advancing climate-resilient recreation and conservation through an improved understanding of climate impacts, collaboration with land managers, integrating natural hazard response plans, and implementing climate-resilient conservation projects.
The draft SCORP identifies four overarching priorities:
- Access and Opportunity for Sustainable Recreation,
- Natural and Cultural Resource Stewardship,
- Land, Water, and Wildlife Conservation, and
- Sustainable Funding for Colorado’s Outdoors.
Objectives and strategies outlined present a path forward for key agencies and partners to advance these goals.
“The collaboration and partnerships between outdoor recreation groups, conservation interests, sportspeople, environmental educators, government, and many others in developing the draft Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan is only the beginning for the success of this plan,” said Dan Gibbs, Executive Director for the Department of Natural Resources. “To achieve our shared recreation and conservation goals for Colorado, we need to continue to work together to put this plan into action.”
The public has until August 6, 2024, to review the draft 2024 SCORP and provide feedback to Colorado Parks and Wildlife. For more information, please visit EngageCPW.org.
Written by Travis Duncan. Travis is a public information officer for Colorado Parks and Wildlife in Denver. He has lived in Colorado for nearly 20 years and loves the outdoors.
5 Responses
Hope you have something for New ATV Trails..For Old people like me that Can ride a Bike or Walk 2 miles..But still have a question..Did anyone found that $3 Million missing funds for ATV Trails yet???
Please provide comments on the plan here – https://engagecpw.org/statewide-comprehensive-outdoor-recreation-plan. This is just a notice to let you know the comment period is open. Thanks!
I think the CPW Commissioners need to be appointed because of their past experience with the Parks and Wildlife and not political affiliation. If hey did their job comments woulld not be necessary
Yes, please keep CO parks & open spaces available to hikers, cross country skiing. I have not seen trails torn up by pedaling bicycles but have seen damaged trails by motorized vehicles.
THERE IS NOPUBLIC TRUST BY THE PUBLIC IN An AGENCY, CP&W, WHICH WOULD BE AS DISAYEROUS AS THE CURRENT GUSTAPO THAT WOULD DESTROY COLORADOS MAJOR RESOURSE WITH WOLF AND MOUNTAION LIONS, WHICH ARE DESTROYING COLORADOS DEER, ELK AND MOOSE POPULATION WITH THEIR BLANDEN DECISIONS. THE CP&W HAS PROVEN WITH THEEIR ENEPT MANAGENENT THEY DONE HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE OR SKILLS TO DO THE JOB PROPERLY AND HAVE BEGAN TO DESTROY THE BIG GAME HUNTING IN COLORADO AS THEY USE THE WILDLIFE FUNDS AT THE END OF THE YEAR TO GO INTO THE GOVENORS POCKET FOR HIS CAMPAIGNING. THIS IS PURE THIEFRY FROM THE WILDLIFE POPULATION AND THE HUNTERS THAT HAVE BUILT THE DEER, ELK, AN MOOSE POPULATION TO ITS PRE-POLIS LEVELS JUST TO SEE HIS DECISION TO ENHANCE HIS POCKET BOOK WITH FUNDS THAT WERE PROVIDED BY WILDLIFE ACTIVITIES. IN ADDITION, DESTROY COLORADO RANCHERS LIVELIHOOD BY BUILDING A RAPID PANDEMIC OF WOLVES THAT HAVE BEEN BROUGHT IN TO COLORADO BY POLIS BECAUSE IT PUTS $1500 ANNUALLY INTO HIS POCKET FOR EVERY WOULD HE HAS OR PUTS IN COLORADO, FROM THEUS FISH AND WILDLIFE. HIS DIRECTION IS A DENFINIT CONFLICT OF INTREST TO THE WELL BEING OF COLORADO’S WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT, AND THE SAFETY OF OUR PETS AND CHILDREN.
I PRAY THAT HE IS GIVEN HIS WALKING PAPERS DURRING THE NEXT ELECTION, AND MORE LAWSUITS ARE FILED AGAINST COLORADO BY OTHER STAES DUE TO HI ACTIONS, TO DISTROY OUR BIG GAME HERDS!