Commission approves CPI license increases and boosts backcountry search‑and‑rescue fee

Summary

The commission increased most wildlife license prices by the Denver‑Aurora‑Lakewood CPI (2.3%) and raised the search‑and‑rescue surcharge from $0.25 to $1.25 (to be CPI‑adjusted going forward). The Routt County local vehicle fee increase at four parks was also approved earlier in the meeting.

Policy staff presented statutory authority under the Hunting, Fishing, and Parks for Future Generations Act to adjust many license prices annually by the Denver‑Aurora‑Lakewood Consumer Price Index. Katie Lanter explained the CPI adjustment (2.3% this year) and noted how the agency sets some differential prices for recruitment or management reasons (for example, certain nonresident or low‑income license differentials).

Separately, the commission approved increasing the backcountry search and rescue surcharge from $0.25 to $1.25 and permitting future CPI adjustments. Staff said the increase reflects long‑standing inflation since 1987 and growing SAR costs: "This fee increase considers inflation since 1987, the dramatic increase in the number of search and rescue incident responses, and the number of highly challenging risky rescues over the last 15 years." The commission approved the fee by voice vote.

The meeting record also shows approval of Routt County's petition to raise daily vehicle fees by $2 at Elkhead Reservoir, Pearl Lake, Stagecoach and Steamboat Lake to support local road maintenance.