Larimer County Natural Resources announced yesterday that they will be raising prices on daily and annual permits as well as initiating a user fee at the Devil’s Backbone Open Space. Details below.
Via Larimer County Natural Resources
The Larimer County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved the recommended adjustments to user fees for Larimer County Department of Natural Resources (LCDNR) parks and open spaces today, September 14, 2021. The new fees will go into effect Jan. 1, 2022.
Fees will rise for daily permits, annual permits, and all types of camping to ensure operational sustainability in the face of increasing visitation and population growth. Resident day use permits will increase from $9 to $10, and resident annual vehicle permits will rise from $90 to $100. Disabled individuals and low-income (bison) permits will incur no increase.
One new annual entrance combo (boat) permit and one new category of day use permit was approved. A discounted Veteran combo (vehicle/boat) will be available for $155, and a new non-resident day use fee will go into effect in 2023. The non-resident day use fee will be $15, as compared to $10 for Larimer County residents. In addition, Disabled Veterans and Purple Heart licensees will be provided free entrance at all LCDNR properties.
Public input regarding the recommended fee adjustments was sought from June through August via virtual and in-person public meetings along with an engagement webpage and survey. Survey results showed 93% of respondents supported Larimer County maintaining the current level of service by adding more conserved land, trails and parking when indexed to population growth. 75% of respondents supported Larimer County adjusting user fees to ensure maintaining levels of service with facility maintenance and replacement and providing continued existing and future new recreational opportunities. 77% of respondents supported Larimer County initiating a user fee at the Devil’s Backbone Open Space’s southern trailhead (off Hwy. 34).
The department relies primarily on user fees and Help Preserve Open Space dedicated sales tax revenues to support operations, maintenance, and management of its parks and open spaces. To view the approved 2022 fees for LCDNR parks and open spaces, please visit larimer.org/naturalresources/permits.
About Larimer County Department of Natural Resources
Natural Resources manages Larimer County’s great outdoor places, including magnificent open spaces and water-based recreation areas, and fosters responsible land stewardship through weed management and healthy forest practices. To learn more, visit www.larimer.org/naturalresources.
