Public invited to participate in ‘Envisioning Colorado’s Future State Parks’

Travis Duncan
CPW Statewide

DENVER – With the passing of the Hunting, Fishing and Parks for Future Generations Act through the Colorado Legislature in April 2018, Colorado Parks and Wildlife has begun pursuing its 10 goals to fulfill by 2025, one of which is to identify and begin planning the development of Colorado’s next state park.

The public is invited to join the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission for a public forum about Colorado’s future state parks. The “Envisioning Colorado’s Future State Parks” Commission Forum will be held at Colorado Mountain College’s Morgridge Commons Meeting & Conference Center in Glenwood Springs and broadcast on Facebook Live. Two panels will discuss what an innovative state park could look like that is designed, in part, to engage, activate and recruit underrepresented users. In the process, this discussion will help to inform CPW’s criteria for developing a new state park.

“We want to make sure our state parks offer the amenities and kinds of experiences that all Coloradans want from the outdoors,” said Margaret Taylor, assistant director of Capital, Parks, and Trails. “This forum will be a great first step in starting this important discussion.”

The forum will take place on Thursday, September 6 from 2 – 5 p.m. as part of the CPW Commission meeting in Glenwood Springs. A complete agenda for the forum is included below.

Details
What: Commission Forum: Envisioning Colorado’s Future State Parks
When: Thursday, September 6 from 2 – 5 p.m.
Where: Attend via Facebook Live or in person at Colorado Mountain College’s Morgridge Commons Meeting & Conference Center, 815 Cooper Ave., Glenwood Springs, CO 81601

Agenda
Envisioning Colorado’s Future State Parks
Fact sheets
Colorado’s Changing Population
Colorado’s State Parks

2 p.m. – Welcome
Chairman John Howard

2:10 p.m. – Introductory Presentation
CPW Assistant Director Margaret Taylor
Commissioner Carrie Besnette Hauser

2:30 p.m. – Panel 1 Discussion
Moderator: Krista Heiner, CPW
Panelists
Dan Gates, Chairman of Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management
Allison Kincaid, Executive Director of Colorado Parks & Recreation Association
Jake O’Connor, President & Owner of ReActive Adaptations
Andrea Kurth, Youth Engagement Coordinator for Leadville Ranger District, San Isabel National Forest
Jackie Radilla, Community Hub Coordinator for Get Outdoors Leadville!

3:30 p.m. – Panel 2 Discussion
Moderator: Krista Heiner, CPW
Panelists
Mike Pritchard, Executive Director of Roaring Fork Mountain Bike Association
Jed Selby, President of South Main
Loretta Pineda, Executive Director of Environmental Learning for Kids
Janie VanWinkle, Owner & Manager of  VanWinkle Ranch, LLC

4:30 p.m. – Commission Discussion