Colorado Parks and Wildlife will now be charging visitors with out-of-state license plates a higher daily parks pass rate, following approval from the Parks and Wildlife Commission.
The new $15 daily fee for out-of-state vehicles took effect May 1st, 2026, aligning Colorado with other states that apply similar tiered pricing structures to non-resident visitors.
Residents are unaffected by the change. Vehicles with Colorado plates can continue purchasing the annual Keep Colorado Wild pass for $29 per year through their vehicle registration or opt for a $10 daily pass at the gate.
Visitors should also be aware that seven state parks carry an additional $2 surcharge on top of the standard daily rate, regardless of whether plates are in-state or out-of-state. Those parks are Chatfield, Elkhead Reservoir, Golden Gate Canyon, Pearl Lake, Stagecoach, State Forest, and Steamboat Lake.
More information on passes and fees is available at cpw.state.co.us/parks-passes.
