Trash the Trash
Pack it in, pack it out. And pick it up to leave a
place better than you found it. Put litter, even
crumbs, peels and cores in your nearest waste/
recycling bin.
Wash yourself, your dog or whatever else needs
cleaning at least 200 feet from waterways, and
use biodegradable soap. A bubble bath is no
treat for fish.
Leave It As You Find It
Leave plants, rocks and historical items as you
find them so others experience the joy of discov-
ery.
Any of our 750 different species of wildflowers
will live forever in a photo. Snap away, but only
with a camera.
Colorado is beautiful all on its own. Building
structures or campsites on public land isn¡¯t cool.
Keep it pristine for everyone to enjoy.
Treat all living things with respect. Carving or
hacking plants and trees may kill or disfigure
them.
Be Careful With Fire
Colorado¡¯s low humidity has perks, but can cre-
ate dry, dangerous conditions. Keep campfires
small and manageable to avoid sparking wild-
fires.
When putting out a fire, water it until you can
handle the embers. Never let a fire burn unat-
tended.
Use care when smoking in Colorado¡¯s dry cli-
mate. Always put cigarettes out completely and
don¡¯t leave your butts behind.
Always check for local fire restrictions.
Keep Wildlife Wild
Colorado is home to tens of thousands of furry,
scaly and feathered creatures. To keep them,
and you, safe, don¡¯t approach them.
It is not adorable to feed wild animals. You could
alter natural behaviors, exposing them to preda-
tors or even euthanasia.
Keep your furry buddies leashed when enjoying
dog-friendly trails, and pack out their waste. All
the way to a trashcan.
Share Our Trails & Parks
Chances are you¡¯re not out in nature to people
watch, so try out the lesser-known paths and
sites.
Silence your cell phone before stepping into na-
ture and speak softly without using the speaker
function.
Be considerate when passing others on the trails
and yield to the uphill hiker and biker ¨C they
need the momentum.
Listen to nature. Keep your voice and music soft
so all can enjoy the peace of Colorado.
Nature & Wildlife
2020 August/September
Pg 10 - The Sunshine Express
Active military and veterans get in free
to Colorado state parks in August
DENVER: As a thank you to U.S. military mem-
bers, Colorado Parks and Wildlife offers active
duty military, veterans and the National Guard
free admission to all state parks for the month
of August.
Military members and veterans, resident and
nonresident, can pick up a free August Military
Pass at any Colorado state park or CPW office
by showing proof of service. Passes became
available on August 1.
¡°We want to honor the brave men and women
who currently serve or have served our country
by hosting them at our state parks,¡± said Colo-
rado Parks and Wildlife Director Dan Prenzlow.
¡°This is an opportunity for our military and
veterans to spend some quality time in nature
and connect with the beautiful landscapes and
natural wonders they protect.¡±
The free park pass provides a chance to expe-
rience Colorado¡¯s state parks and the diverse
wildlife and terrain they showcase. All other
park fees remain in effect, including camping
reservations, boat and off-highway vehicle reg-
istrations, and hunting and fishing licenses.
To begin planning a unique Colorado adventure,
visit the CPW park finder.
Free Pass For Vets
State park outdoor recreation activities include:
-- Water sports- boating, kayaking, paddle board-
ing and swimming
Wildlife and wildflower viewing, birdwatching and
tours with naturalists
-- Hiking, horseback riding, biking and rock climb-
ing
-- Stargazing and geocaching
-- Accessibility programs are available to people
with disabilities
CPW also offers military benefits for outdoor
activities to active duty military, veterans and dis-
abled veterans. Programs include free admission
to state parks on Veterans Day, year-round free
entry to all state parks to residents with Colorado
Disabled Veterans license plates and free small
game and fishing combination licenses for quali-
fied disabled veterans.
CPW also offers a Columbine Pass which offers
reduced park entrance fees to disabled Colorado
residents.
¡°Our agency appreciates the sacrifices our military
members make to secure our freedoms to enjoy
an outdoor heritage,¡± said U.S Marine Corps Vet-
eran and Southwest Region Manager Cory Chick.
¡°This is a small token of our appreciation to thank
our military and veterans for helping us protect
our state lands for Coloradans to enjoy and cher-
ish.¡±
For more information about Colorado¡¯s state parks
visit the CPW website.
Recreate Responsibly
CARE FOR COLORADO ¨C LEAVE NO TRACE
Updated: April 21, 2020: This message for Colo-
rado travelers was developed in a partnership
between the Colorado Tourism Office and Leave
No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics.
Know Before You Go
This land really is your land. Our state and federal
agencies manage 42 percent of Colorado¡¯s majes-
tic landscape, and our cities and counties main-
tain even more.
Learn about and respect the spaces we all own,
share and sing about.
Stay back from the pack
Find your way to less-visited and off-peak desti-
nations to minimize down time and maximize your
connection with special places.
Bring along reusable water bottles or hot drink
tumblers to limit waste and stay hydrated in our
dry climate.
Stick To Trails
With 39,000 marked trails and 13,000 designated
campsites, there¡¯s no need to venture beyond.
By sticking to these areas and camping at least
200 feet from lakes, rivers and streams, you¡¯re
helping natural areas stay natural.
Even though shortcuts can be tempting, please
don¡¯t take them. A few extra strides on the path
will protect plants and the homes of the true
locals.