Parks & Wildlife Licenses & Passes

The act amends certain requirements and procedures related to licenses and passes from the Colorado parks and wildlife commission (commission). The act lowers the age threshold for senior annual fishing licenses to 64 years of age and amends the definition of "low-income senior" for the purposes of discounted parks and wildlife licenses. The act also lowers the disability level threshold for veterans with disabilities from 60% to 50% disability for the purpose of granting licenses to disabled veterans. The act lowers the cost of the youth small game hunting license and the youth big game hunting license by 25 cents to account for the inclusion of the backcountry search and rescue fund surcharge that is added administratively by the commission when the licenses are purchased. The act clarifies that adjustments to the prices of certain hunting licenses are based on the cost of the licenses as established in 2018 and adjusted for inflation based on the consumer price index. The act authorizes the commission to establish, by rule, a harvest permit surcharge for the taking of small game when doing so is necessary for the proper management of wildlife resources. The act specifies that revenues generated from the sale of keep Colorado wild passes may be used for capital construction projects. The act establishes procedures for hearings conducted by the commission when a river outfitter license holder or applicant is alleged to have committed a violation and when the applicant or license holder may have their application or license denied, suspended, or revoked. The act authorizes a hearing officer to conduct hearings on behalf of the commission in relation to the denial, suspension, or revocation of a river outfitter license. APPROVED by Governor May 1, 2024 EFFECTIVE August 7, 2024(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)