The Parks and Wildlife Commission on July 18 approved CPW staff and the snowmobile grant review and ranking subcommittee's recommendations to fund 2025–26 snowmobile program grants.

Fletcher Jacobs, assistant director for Outdoor Recreation and Lands, told commissioners the snowmobile program is funded primarily by user registration fees and some federal Recreational Trails Program (RTP) funds. "Last year there were over 40,000 registrations and permits sold at a cost of $30.25 per machine," Jacobs said; the fee will rise to $50.25 on Oct. 1 per prior commission approval. Jacobs said the program supports grooming, safety training, Colorado Avalanche Information Center contributions, registration operations and patrol services.

Jacobs described 10 applications requesting about $804,000 and said staff recommended funding eight projects totaling about $357,000; applicants included groomer purchases, major maintenance (B‑level rebuilds) and one storage facility in partnership with Steamboat Lake State Park. He said a subcommittee of 14 scoring members evaluates applications, the state trails committee reviews the subcommittee's ranking, and staff presents the final recommendation to the commission.

Commissioners asked how enforcement patrols are funded; Jacobs said enforcement uses registration dollars (but federal RTP funds cannot be used for enforcement). Commissioner Beaulieu asked whether clubs that defer a large purchase are guaranteed future funding; Jacobs said there is no guarantee but prior near‑cutoff applicants generally fare favorably if they reapply.

Commissioner Jacober asked about enforcement on backcountry rules; Jacobs reiterated that registration dollars support patrols and that regional staff coordinate targeted enforcement in high‑use areas. Commissioner Tuxton asked whether manufacturers lock out repairs; Jacobs said snow‑cat manufacturers have not created a major barrier for maintenance and that major rebuilds are often done by dealers.

Commissioner Beaulieu moved to approve the subcommittee's recommendation to fund the 2025–26 snowmobile program grants as presented. Commissioner Murphy seconded. The commission approved the motion by unanimous voice vote.

Staff noted volunteers operate grooming machines across 2,700+ miles of winter trail maintenance; Jacobs said the program provided $735,000 last year for grooming and program grants combined and that registration dollars and RTP funds support the work.

The commission's action authorizes staff to issue grants per appendix C of the action packet and to continue working with grooming clubs and federal partners on operations and enforcement.