Colorado funds Rocky Mountain Park visitor centers

DENVER — The State of Colorado will provide temporary funding to keep two visitor centers at Rocky Mountain National Park open during the ongoing federal government shutdown, Gov. Jared Polis announced Thursday.

The funding, provided through the Colorado Department of Natural Resources and the Colorado Tourism Office, will keep the Beaver Meadows and Kawuneeche visitor centers operational for at least seven days starting Oct. 24. The two agencies are splitting the $3,200 daily cost. If the shutdown continues beyond that period, the state has the option to extend funding. Any unused state funds will be refunded if the shutdown ends sooner.

“Rocky Mountain National Park visitor centers are very important to helping all visitors stay informed, stay safe and enjoy nature,” Polis said. “By taking this action, we are helping our local communities and allowing visitors continued access to the park to enjoy its breathtaking vistas and activities.”

Rocky Mountain National Park is one of Colorado’s top tourist destinations and a vital economic driver for surrounding communities. According to the National Park Service, the park drew more than 4.1 million visitors in 2023, generating an estimated $888.6 million in economic output and supporting nearly 7,833 jobs.

“The tourism industry contributes $28.5 billion to Colorado’s economy and supports over 188,000 jobs across the state,” said Eve Lieberman, executive director of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade. “Keeping Rocky Mountain National Park and these visitor centers open promotes a positive visitor experience, helps protect our state’s incredible public lands and supports a critical sector of our economy.”

Colorado’s Department of Natural Resources Executive Director Dan Gibbs said the state’s action helps mitigate the uncertainty caused by the shutdown.

“National parks are integral to the outdoor activities and beauty Colorado has to offer,” Gibbs said. “The current shutdown has created uncertainty for park staff, visitors and surrounding communities whose jobs and economies are closely tied to our national parks. We hope the state’s contribution can help sustain the visitor experience until full operations resume.”

The decision follows a 2023 executive order by Polis directing state agencies to develop a plan to support national parks in the event of a federal shutdown.

All national parks in Colorado remain open, though several are operating with limited or reduced services.