Backcountry Search and Rescue Surcharge

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The Parks and Wildlife Commission (PWC) approved final regulations at the November 13-14, 2025 PWC meeting increasing the Backcountry Search and Rescue (BSAR) surcharge on most licenses and registrations. The PWC approved increasing the surcharge fee to a new base of $1.25.

Background

CPW assesses a 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 the previous $0.25 fee 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 change was proposed?

CPW recommended a $1.00 increase to the surcharge for a total surcharge of $1.25. The surcharge increase proposal was first heard by the Parks and Wildlife Commission (PWC) at the August 21-22, 2025 PWC Meeting. The PWC then approved final regulations at the November 13-14, 2025 PWC meeting increasing the BSAR surcharge fee to a new base of $1.25.

How was the public engaged?

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

The Parks and Wildlife Commission (PWC) approved final regulations at the November 13-14, 2025 PWC meeting increasing the Backcountry Search and Rescue (BSAR) surcharge on most licenses and registrations. The PWC approved increasing the surcharge fee to a new base of $1.25.

Background

CPW assesses a 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 the previous $0.25 fee 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 change was proposed?

CPW recommended a $1.00 increase to the surcharge for a total surcharge of $1.25. The surcharge increase proposal was first heard by the Parks and Wildlife Commission (PWC) at the August 21-22, 2025 PWC Meeting. The PWC then approved final regulations at the November 13-14, 2025 PWC meeting increasing the BSAR surcharge fee to a new base of $1.25.

How was the public engaged?

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

Page last updated: 10 Dec 2025, 03:19 PM