Mtg in Colo Sprgs to increase big game resident tag fees

[saddlesore]

Hunters and anglers invited to Sportsmen's Roundtable caucus July 14, resident license fees on the agenda
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. ‐ Colorado Parks and Wildlife urges hunters and anglers, or anyone who wants their voice heard regarding wildlife issues, to attend the next southeast region Sportsmen's Roundtable caucus in Colorado Springs on Thursday, July 14, at 6 p.m. at the Hunter Education classroom at Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s regional office, 4255 Sinton Road.
“These roundtables are imperative for CPW to have a finger on the pulse of what our anglers and sportsmen of the region want to see in terms of regulations and resource management, and to better understand how this agency is perceived amongst a key stakeholder group,” said Southeast Regional Manager Dan Prenzlow.
Several important topics are on the agenda, including a presentation by CPW's Policy and Planning section seeking sportsmen's input on funding the future of wildlife management and conservation in Colorado.
CPW anticipates budget shortfalls which could be offset by increasing resident license fees. The last increase occurred in 2005, and since 2009 CPW has cut or defunded 50 positions, and cut $40 million from its operating budget. Wildlife managers caution that additional cuts are inevitable without an increase in revenue.
"Colorado's natural resources are experiencing the pressure of a growing human population, increasingly fragmented habitat and declines in the number of young people involved in hunting," said Prenzlow. "This agency has done it’s best to manage resources on an already shoestring budget, but now we need to find effective ways to increase revenue. We need to have this important discussion with our sportsmen and women."
CPW’s wildlife management programs are funded by user fees, generated primarily by the sale of hunting and fishing licenses. Unlike other state agencies, CPW does not receive general fund revenue.
Currently, a limited elk license for resident adults costs $46. Resident youths pay $10.75 for limited deer, elk and pronghorn licenses. Limited deer license and pronghorn licenses are $31 for resident adults.
"Colorado big game hunting opportunities are arguably some of the best in the country and that is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the state's wildlife managers," Prenzlow said. "When you compare our resident license fees to states that do not provide the same quality opportunities, you might understand why an increase is necessary. Colorado hunters and anglers care deeply about our wildlife resources and we are prepared to make our case in front of them."
The roundtable leadership consists of four appointed members and two elected members. Twice each year, the Statewide Roundtable, which has representation for each region caucus, meets with the CPW Director and other members of CPW's leadership for detailed discussions about a variety of wildlife management challenges.
Prenzlow said the need for selecting region representation for the statewide caucus and feedback on a possible fee increase makes this meeting one not to miss.
Anyone interested in becoming an elected caucus representative is encouraged to attend the meeting. The election will be held the same evening with votes cast by attendees. Elected members can serve two‐year terms and are expected to organize regional caucus meetings and be available to constituents, serving as their representatives for regional concerns during the statewide meetings.
Who: Sportsmen's Roundtable Caucus
What: Regular caucus meeting and election
When: Thursday, July 14, 6 p.m.
Where: Colorado Parks and Wildlife Hunter Education Classroom, 4255 Sinton Road. Call (719) 227‐5200 for additional inf

[Backyard]

Really?!
WTH are they spending all the millions in non-resident fees on?

[Elkduds]

Really?!
WTH are they spending all the millions in non-resident fees on?

Same thing they spend all user fees on: their annual operating budget. CPW is enterprise-funded, meaning all fees, fines, and revenues generated by CPW operations are held by the state legislature. CPW has to request its operating budget from the state legislature each year. The legislature can decide to fund less to CPW than the income it generates. So political influences over game management decisions are magnified.

Speaking as a CO resident, I am in favor of higher license fees for residents. Resident fee increases have lagged far behind nonresident increases. The greater the portion of CPW revenues that come from state residents, the more influence residents will have in CPW decisions.

[JKaboom]

... CPW has to request its operating budget from the state legislature each year. The legislature can decide to fund less to CPW than the income it generates. So political influences over game management decisions are magnified. ....

[/quote]

^^ This is the whole problem, often times monies generated by the CPW are not always appropriated to the CPW but rather the general fund.

As a Colorado resident I am not opposed to higher license fees either provided they are used for what we pay them for; the management of our lands, fisheries, and game.

I bought the new Hunting and Fishing are conservation Colorado plates for my SUV and love them. I buy the annual parks pass and use them. I buy hunting and fishing licenses and have no problem with any of it. The problem I have is when money is diverted to the general fund or other non sportsman type spending. I am not sure what I can do as an individual but it is upsetting to say the least.

[Backyard]

Thanks for explaining the harsh reality guys. It sounds like there is a lot of misappropriation going on out there.
As far as resident fees, I wouldn't fret an increase either. Especially when compare to other states Colorado still seems a little low. For what it's worth here in Minn. I think I payed $38.00 last year for an archery deer tag (we only have WT).
Again, thanks for the eye opener.

[CurlyTail]

When the Division of Wildlife merged with the State Parks Division a few years back, I knew that it would not be good for Wildlife. Now they will be using License Fees to support the park system, and this diverts dollars from Wildlife priorities. Of course they are going to need more money.

That said, to charge a resident 46.00, and a non-resident 641.00 is pushing it a bit. Higher resident license fees may help preserve more licenses for residents. I would say a fee increase is over due.

If I were a Colorado resident, I would consider lobbying to go back to having the Division of Wildlife separated from the Parks.

[Trophyhill]

As a non resident looking in, the voice of the resident hunters should ring loud against hunters and fisherman funding the parks dept. Your money is being stolen by bureaucrats and politicians.

[saddlesore]

I recently had a reply from one of the commissioners. Wildlfie dollars are definitely being used to supplement parks funding