Visitors to seven of Colorado’s state parks can use free sunscreen stations to protect themselves from the sun’s potentially damaging rays during outdoor adventures. The sunscreen stations are available at the following state parks:

• Chatfield State Park 
• Roxborough State Park
• Golden Gate Canyon State Park
• Eleven Mile & Spinney State Parks 
• Ridgway State Park 
• State Forest State Park 
• Castlewood Canyon State Park 

Visitors can find a Colorado state park map and see what activities are available at each state park using the Colorado Parks Guide (el folleto de parques en Español) or the online Park Finder Tool.

“One of our primary goals is to encourage healthy behaviors to lower the risk of cancer,” said Karryn Christiansen, Colorado Comprehensive Cancer Control Program representative with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. “With Colorado’s altitude and plentiful sunshine, it is critical to proactively take steps to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays.”

People can reduce their risk of skin cancer by adhering to some easy-to-follow precautions, including wearing sun-protecting clothing, using sunscreen with broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, and avoiding sun exposure, when possible, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. 

“We are excited to offer this new feature at our parks to help promote healthy sun habits to our visitors,” said Colorado Parks and Wildlife Deputy Regional Manager Scott Roush. “Coloradans live life outside, and these stations are a simple way people can balance their outdoor recreation fun with protecting their skin from the sun.”

A best practice for responsible recreation is to “know before you go” by checking the weather and closures for where you plan to explore and adjusting your outdoor plan based on the forecast and conditions. If the forecast calls for direct sun all day, wearing sunscreen and bringing extra water is advised. 

Similar to wearing a life jacket when recreating on the water, sunscreen is a protective layer for your skin while recreating in the sun. Wearing a life jacket and sunscreen are essential safety gear for recreating responsibly this summer.

Studies show that adolescents who get too much sun are at increased risk of developing melanoma, a type of skin cancer, later in life. That is one of the many reasons why initiatives like free sunscreen stations in parks are so important. The Colorado Comprehensive Cancer Control Program also works with schools to provide sun safety education to staff, students, and their families.

For more information on Colorado state parks and tips on how to recreate responsibly, visit cpw.state.co.us.

Join us in keeping Colorado, Colorado. Get a $29 Keep Colorado Wild Pass with your next vehicle registration and support our state parks, backcountry rescue teams, avalanche safety, wildlife conservation, and outdoor education. Learn more at cpw.info/keepcoloradowild and cpw.info/keepcoloradowildpassspanish.

About the Colorado Comprehensive Cancer Control Program
The Colorado Comprehensive Cancer Control Program is funded through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program and administered through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to increase cancer prevention and control across the continuum of care.