Backcountry Search and Rescue Surcharge

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Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is proposing increasing the Backcountry Search and Rescue (BSAR) surcharge on most licenses and registrations.

Background

CPW currently assesses a $0.25 surcharge on the sale of most wildlife licenses as well as vessel, snowmobile, and off highway vehicle registrations. Colorado Senate Bill 22-168 authorized CPW to set the BSAR surcharge above $0.25 through a one-time increase. Once the BSAR surcharge is set, it may only be adjusted for inflation thereafter.

Other BSAR fund revenue is generated from the voluntary sales of Colorado Outdoor Rescue Search and Rescue (CORSAR) cards, and through the Keep Colorado Wild pass program. Many BSAR volunteer teams also fundraise in the communities they serve.

What does the BSAR surcharge support?

The BSAR surcharge on licenses and permits currently reimburses volunteer search and rescue teams for costs incurred while providing a search and rescue service in the backcountry (beyond the boundaries of regularly available emergency services). On average, the BSAR surcharge generates approximately $500,000 in funds annually.

Approximately 2,500 active BSAR volunteers operate in Colorado. Each volunteer spends roughly $2,000-$2,500 per year for training and equipment to be able to volunteer. In total, BSAR volunteers spend roughly $5 million annually to volunteer their time to search for stranded, lost and injured individuals in the backcountry. That amount does not account for the hundreds of thousands of dollars in team operating costs, team vehicles, BSAR equipment, communications equipment and technology.

What changes are being proposed?

  • CPW is recommending a $1.00 increase to the surcharge on most wildlife licenses and registrations for a total surcharge of $1.25.
  • All daily and income-eligible licenses would remain at the current rate of $0.25

The surcharge increase proposal is tentatively scheduled to be heard by the Parks and Wildlife Commission (PWC) at the August 21-22 PWC Meeting. The PWC is tentatively scheduled to consider the proposal for final adoption at the November 13-14 PWC meeting.

How can the public give feedback on the proposed changes?

CPW has made a concerted effort to engage potentially impacted outdoor recreation communities in discussions about the surcharge rate adjustment. CPW is also consulting with the county sheriffs and the Colorado Search and Rescue Association for input on the proposed surcharge increase.

To provide feedback on the BSAR surcharge increase proposal please share your comments directly with the Parks and Wildlife Commission prior to the August and November PWC meetings. More information on submitting public comments to the PWC is available in the Submit Public Comments section of the PWC website.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is proposing increasing the Backcountry Search and Rescue (BSAR) surcharge on most licenses and registrations.

Background

CPW currently assesses a $0.25 surcharge on the sale of most wildlife licenses as well as vessel, snowmobile, and off highway vehicle registrations. Colorado Senate Bill 22-168 authorized CPW to set the BSAR surcharge above $0.25 through a one-time increase. Once the BSAR surcharge is set, it may only be adjusted for inflation thereafter.

Other BSAR fund revenue is generated from the voluntary sales of Colorado Outdoor Rescue Search and Rescue (CORSAR) cards, and through the Keep Colorado Wild pass program. Many BSAR volunteer teams also fundraise in the communities they serve.

What does the BSAR surcharge support?

The BSAR surcharge on licenses and permits currently reimburses volunteer search and rescue teams for costs incurred while providing a search and rescue service in the backcountry (beyond the boundaries of regularly available emergency services). On average, the BSAR surcharge generates approximately $500,000 in funds annually.

Approximately 2,500 active BSAR volunteers operate in Colorado. Each volunteer spends roughly $2,000-$2,500 per year for training and equipment to be able to volunteer. In total, BSAR volunteers spend roughly $5 million annually to volunteer their time to search for stranded, lost and injured individuals in the backcountry. That amount does not account for the hundreds of thousands of dollars in team operating costs, team vehicles, BSAR equipment, communications equipment and technology.

What changes are being proposed?

  • CPW is recommending a $1.00 increase to the surcharge on most wildlife licenses and registrations for a total surcharge of $1.25.
  • All daily and income-eligible licenses would remain at the current rate of $0.25

The surcharge increase proposal is tentatively scheduled to be heard by the Parks and Wildlife Commission (PWC) at the August 21-22 PWC Meeting. The PWC is tentatively scheduled to consider the proposal for final adoption at the November 13-14 PWC meeting.

How can the public give feedback on the proposed changes?

CPW has made a concerted effort to engage potentially impacted outdoor recreation communities in discussions about the surcharge rate adjustment. CPW is also consulting with the county sheriffs and the Colorado Search and Rescue Association for input on the proposed surcharge increase.

To provide feedback on the BSAR surcharge increase proposal please share your comments directly with the Parks and Wildlife Commission prior to the August and November PWC meetings. More information on submitting public comments to the PWC is available in the Submit Public Comments section of the PWC website.

Page published: 13 Jun 2025, 11:00 AM