HB 25-1163

House Bill 25-1163 allows members of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe to visit Colorado state parks for free. The bill also requires the Department of Natural Resources to engage with these tribes and other Indigenous communities about park opportunities by June 1, 2026. Since the bill has been signed into law, enrolled members of these tribes can now enter state parks without paying an entrance fee.

Official Summary

The act allows enrolled members of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and enrolled members of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe to enter state parks without having to pay an entrance fee. By June 1, 2026, the division of parks and wildlife (division) in the department of natural resources (department) shall build on existing efforts to conduct outreach to and engagement with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, other tribal governments, American Indian communities, and Indigenous communities about opportunities related to state parks that are managed by the division. In January 2026 and January 2027, the department shall include, as part of its presentation during its "SMART Act" hearing, information concerning the division's outreach and engagement about opportunities related to state parks. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Votes