Some $20 million in funding has been approved for state park improvements across Colorado.
Governor Jared Polis said the funding is particularly crucial given that since the onset of the Covid 19 pandemic, “we watched our Colorado community flock to our state parks in record numbers for solace and the mental and health benefits associated with spending time outdoors.”
That money is coming out of the state’s Capital Construction Fund.
The projects include improvements to the campgrounds of the Boyd Lake State Park, near the city of Loveland; and new trails, service buildings, and campground space at the Cameo Shooting and Education Complex, just to the east of Grand Junction.
Also to be funded: construction of a new educational center and updated restroom facilities at the Cherry Creek State Park; as well as the building of new indoor facilities, complete with bathrooms and showers, at the Steamboat Lake Park in North Routt.
Other parks getting state project funding include the Lake Pueblo State Park; Arkansas Headquarters Recreation Area; Ridgway State Park; North Sterling State Park; Chatfield State Park; Jackson Lake State Park; and Navajo State Park.
State officials say the park improvement funding is coming at a crucial time: according to statistics, daily park usage in Colorado is up by more than 2 million people since 2014.
By Garry Boulard