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The Parks and Wildlife Commission (PWC) approved final regulations increasing snowmobile registration and permit fees at the March 5-6, 2025 PWC meeting. The PWC approved increasing the fee for snowmobile registration and permit fees from $30 to $50 (not including the $0.25 Backcountry Search and Rescue surcharge) . Thank you for providing input on snowmobile registration and permit fees.
Snowmobile registration and permit fees fund snowmobile related projects including trail grooming, maintenance, and construction. Registration and permit fees were last increased in 2007. CPW heard suggestions to increase snowmobile registration and permit fees from some snowmobile users. CPW staff then sought input from snowmobile users on potentially raising registration and permit fees.
How Were Snowmobile Users Engaged?
CPW notified recent snowmobile registrants of the potential fee increase and opportunities to learn more and provide input. A virtual public meeting was held to provide information on the Colorado snowmobile program and discuss a potential registration and permit fee increase. Watch the recording of the September 25th Virtual Meeting to learn more.
Input from snowmobile users on potential registration and permit fee rates was gathered through polling questions at the virtual meeting and through a feedback form on Engage CPW. Members of the public were also invited to leave feedback and see other public input through the Guestbook tool below. Public input was collected through October 28, 2024.
The State Trails Committee also discussed potential increased registration and permit fee rates. Division staff collaborated with the State Trails Committee prior to public engagement to identify possible fee levels to solicit public feedback on. Following initial outreach to snowmobile users, the State Trails Committee met again to further discuss a potential fee increase.
Fore more information on public engagement related to this topic, please see the public engagement summary provided to the PWC.
The Parks and Wildlife Commission (PWC) approved final regulations increasing snowmobile registration and permit fees at the March 5-6, 2025 PWC meeting. The PWC approved increasing the fee for snowmobile registration and permit fees from $30 to $50 (not including the $0.25 Backcountry Search and Rescue surcharge) . Thank you for providing input on snowmobile registration and permit fees.
Snowmobile registration and permit fees fund snowmobile related projects including trail grooming, maintenance, and construction. Registration and permit fees were last increased in 2007. CPW heard suggestions to increase snowmobile registration and permit fees from some snowmobile users. CPW staff then sought input from snowmobile users on potentially raising registration and permit fees.
How Were Snowmobile Users Engaged?
CPW notified recent snowmobile registrants of the potential fee increase and opportunities to learn more and provide input. A virtual public meeting was held to provide information on the Colorado snowmobile program and discuss a potential registration and permit fee increase. Watch the recording of the September 25th Virtual Meeting to learn more.
Input from snowmobile users on potential registration and permit fee rates was gathered through polling questions at the virtual meeting and through a feedback form on Engage CPW. Members of the public were also invited to leave feedback and see other public input through the Guestbook tool below. Public input was collected through October 28, 2024.
The State Trails Committee also discussed potential increased registration and permit fee rates. Division staff collaborated with the State Trails Committee prior to public engagement to identify possible fee levels to solicit public feedback on. Following initial outreach to snowmobile users, the State Trails Committee met again to further discuss a potential fee increase.
Fore more information on public engagement related to this topic, please see the public engagement summary provided to the PWC.
Share your input with CPW staff about snowmobile registration and permit fees and see what others are saying. Public input will be open through October 28, 2024. (All comments are public and subject to review. See the Moderation Policy for more information)
*NOTE* In order to submit your input, you will need to first register for an Engage CPW account - you can register for an account here. Once you have created an account, you must then sign in to your account to submit input.
CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.
Absolutely NOT. We are paying an insane amount of taxes and fees as it is. Our Tax Payor Bill of Rights says the government can't raise taxes without a vote of the people and this government just changes the name to "fee" and then taxes us to death under this new name. The quality of things is not improving but EVERYTHING is costing us more and more. Please propose several fees that you are going to SLASH and how soon we can expect taxes and fees to go DOWN. Do NOT increase anything.
mollieo
6 months ago
Absolutely NOT. We are paying an insane amount of taxes and fees as it is. Our Tax Payor Bill of Rights says the government can't raise taxes without a vote of the people and this government just changes the name to "fee" and then taxes us to death under this new name. The quality of things is not improving but EVERYTHING is costing us more and more. Please propose several fees that you are going to SLASH and how soon we can expect taxes and fees to go DOWN. Do NOT increase anything.
mollieo
6 months ago
Some short bullet points-
(2) sled family - We support increase
Last increase 2007 - season ski pass $400 now over a $1000 (avg)
Grooming in Mtns is not same as Minn - equipment is aged and repairs are difficult in remote Mtn areas. Try getting an hydraulic hose fixed in Lake City in February
CPW only keeps 17% to administer Snow program which includes 3 CPW personnel dedicated just to our access and recreation
That means over 80% of funds goes back to CSA which then goes to individual clubs to maintain grooming programs and insurance which is huge.
Because a majority of registered sleds are not connected to CSA membership, this is the main funding for grooming and insurance.
Lastly, multi sled/vintage owners should get a multi veh discount
Csch007
6 months ago
I feel that if we are wanting to increase fees for snowmobilers, we need to start charging non fee users of our groomed trails a fee to use them just like a day use tag to help pay for trail head plowing, bathroom upkeep. These non-fee groups keep taking our riding areas away but still want to use our groomed trails like they are entitled to use them just because they pay taxes. These folks need to realize if they like using the groomed trails they aren't free. Maybe they need to join local grooming clubs that provide the labor to groom trails. I feel our current Fee should be sufficient.
kfsnow
6 months ago
I feel that if we are wanting to increase fees for snowmobilers, we need to start charging non fee users of our groomed trails a fee to use them just like a day use tag to help pay for trail head plowing, bathroom upkeep. These non-fee groups keep taking our riding areas away but still want to use our groomed trails like they are entitled to use them just because they pay taxes. These folks need to realize if they like using the groomed trails they aren't free. Maybe they need to join local grooming clubs that provide the labor to groom trails.
kfsnow
6 months ago
I have no issue with the yearly registration fee be increased to $50.25 as long as the focus of the fee increase is to the motorized use areas for grooming & maintenance with funding also going to SAR as their involvement in back-country activaities has increased significantly. Clubs are drastically underfunded since their membership fees are voluntary and the tireless effort of volunteers has been the only way to stretch the limited funding that these areas receive.
hoffmantim33
6 months ago
I have no problem with raising the fees. But $20 ? That is a 66% increase. I realize that costs have gone up but 66%? How about a $5 or maybe even a $10 increase? This just seems high to me, as there are many private clubs across the state that groom the trails.
Phil Shell
6 months ago
I have no issue with the yearly registration fee be increased to $50.25 as long as the focus of the fee increase is to the motorized use areas for grooming & maintenance with funding also going to SAR as their involvement in back-country activaities has increased significantly. Clubs are drastically underfunded since their membership fees are voluntary and the tireless effort of volunteers has been the only way to stretch the limited funding that these areas receive.
hoffmantim33
6 months ago
Before CPW pursues an increase in fees I think they should enforce the fees they currently have in place. Where I ride, I would say 50% of the people on the groomed trails have registered sleds. Most I have talked to say, "oh we only ride the back country," but they ride 10 miles of groomed trails to get to the back country. The fees also help protect your right to have access to the back country it also probably paid for the parking lot where you park your trailer when you go ride. The fee is pretty minor considering what you pay for a sled, trailer, gas, oil, etc. The club I belong to has asked CPW to enforce the registration and they basically say they are too busy and maybe come out 1 time per year to do enforcement. Bottom line is $50 or $30 is a drop in the bucket compared to what you spend just on gas. If you want areas to ride, parking lots, groomed trails, you got to pay to play and even $50 per year is nothing.
Natedog21
6 months ago
I believe this fee is excessive. CPW fees just keep going up and up. I use my snowmobile for ranch work and occasional public gland use. If we’re not going to charge hikers, bikers, skiers, and snowshoers, Stop expecting motorized users to carry the bill for everyone. On that note, I feel that mountain bikes should pay the same registration as ATV users. Thank you.
Redneckrich
6 months ago
NO, we pay to much for all our plates on everything.
JEFF BROOKS
6 months ago
They can't even get this website to work
Tsnowmobiler
6 months ago
We already pay to much for everything we license in Colorado,20 year old pickup is still outrageous. People still have temp plates that expired years ago driving around and we pay for trailers we use very seldom. Bad deal to raise it for no benefit to the one that license everything on time.
JEFF BROOKS
6 months ago
They can't even get this website to work
Tsnowmobiler
6 months ago
I think a increase would be valued if all of the funds where public access. Like the summer. But also I have worked for both of sticker programs, summer and winter and I know for a fact this money does not get distributed correctly or how the public thinks it is. If the money goes to the snowmobilers it's great....but it doesn't. After a decade of watching people pay into a system that works in theory but not in practice. I am tired of it.
Tsnowmobiler
6 months ago
I disagree with a fee increase! A majority of snowmobile riders would not benefit. Lots of back county riders here. Snowbike riders prefer backcountry non-groomed. If higher fees bring more groomed trails thats one thing, riders I know would still not ride them. I would like the fees to stay as they are.
Jkosko82
6 months ago
Colorado recreation comes with an inordinate amount of fees. For someone who enjoys living and recreating in Colorado, the fees seem endless - annual fees for ATVs and snowmobiles, species specific hunting lotteries that require a small game hunting and/or fishing license to participate in, vehicle fees in addition to campsite fees, the list goes on. Colorado is a fairly populous state, rather than draining the budget by the recent decreased cost of annual park passes and passing along the shortfall to those who snowmobile - couldn't the park pass cost could be adjusted upward? Alternatively, like for hunting, perhaps non-residents could pay a higher snowmobile registration fee? I agree with another commenter, until snowmobile trails are actually maintained exclusively for snowmobiles, I'm not in favor of raising the registration fee. In my area the trails are maintained by a local club - so how will the increased registration fee even help my situation? I routinely donate to my local club.
Maryvan2024
6 months ago
I ride a snow bike and ride non-groomed trails, if any trails at all. Even when a do ride snowmobile, never groomed trails or people I ride with. There are alot of people that will not benefit from this. Fees are already pretty high for the short season we have to ride.
Jkosko82
6 months ago
Way overdue, could triple the current price .
trail groomer
6 months ago
There should be no fee increase. The grooming in SW CO is garbage. They only groom where guided tours and cross country skiers are. Most other places only get groomed a few times per year. Most of us dirt bikers clear trails in the summer as the forest service doesn't. Quit wasting money.
Snowmobile Registration and Permit Fees has finished this stage
CPW Staff Review of Public Input
Snowmobile Registration and Permit Fees has finished this stage
January 2025 Parks and Wildlife Commission Meeting
Snowmobile Registration and Permit Fees has finished this stage
The Parks and Wildlife Commission is tentatively scheduled to first hear proposed changes related to snowmobile registration and permit fees at their January 2025 meeting.
March 2025 Parks and Wildlife Commission Meeting
Snowmobile Registration and Permit Fees has finished this stage
The Parks and Wildlife Commission is tentatively scheduled to consider proposed snowmobile fee changes for final approval at their March 2025 meeting.
Snowmobile Registration and Permit Fee Increase Approved
Snowmobile Registration and Permit Fees is currently at this stage
Absolutely NOT. We are paying an insane amount of taxes and fees as it is. Our Tax Payor Bill of Rights says the government can't raise taxes without a vote of the people and this government just changes the name to "fee" and then taxes us to death under this new name. The quality of things is not improving but EVERYTHING is costing us more and more. Please propose several fees that you are going to SLASH and how soon we can expect taxes and fees to go DOWN. Do NOT increase anything.
Absolutely NOT. We are paying an insane amount of taxes and fees as it is. Our Tax Payor Bill of Rights says the government can't raise taxes without a vote of the people and this government just changes the name to "fee" and then taxes us to death under this new name. The quality of things is not improving but EVERYTHING is costing us more and more. Please propose several fees that you are going to SLASH and how soon we can expect taxes and fees to go DOWN. Do NOT increase anything.
Some short bullet points-
(2) sled family - We support increase
Last increase 2007 - season ski pass $400 now over a $1000 (avg)
Grooming in Mtns is not same as Minn - equipment is aged and repairs are difficult in remote Mtn areas. Try getting an hydraulic hose fixed in Lake City in February
CPW only keeps 17% to administer Snow program which includes 3 CPW personnel dedicated just to our access and recreation
That means over 80% of funds goes back to CSA which then goes to individual clubs to maintain grooming programs and insurance which is huge.
Because a majority of registered sleds are not connected to CSA membership, this is the main funding for grooming and insurance.
Lastly, multi sled/vintage owners should get a multi veh discount
I feel that if we are wanting to increase fees for snowmobilers, we need to start charging non fee users of our groomed trails a fee to use them just like a day use tag to help pay for trail head plowing, bathroom upkeep. These non-fee groups keep taking our riding areas away but still want to use our groomed trails like they are entitled to use them just because they pay taxes. These folks need to realize if they like using the groomed trails they aren't free. Maybe they need to join local grooming clubs that provide the labor to groom trails. I feel our current Fee should be sufficient.
I feel that if we are wanting to increase fees for snowmobilers, we need to start charging non fee users of our groomed trails a fee to use them just like a day use tag to help pay for trail head plowing, bathroom upkeep. These non-fee groups keep taking our riding areas away but still want to use our groomed trails like they are entitled to use them just because they pay taxes. These folks need to realize if they like using the groomed trails they aren't free. Maybe they need to join local grooming clubs that provide the labor to groom trails.
I have no issue with the yearly registration fee be increased to $50.25 as long as the focus of the fee increase is to the motorized use areas for grooming & maintenance with funding also going to SAR as their involvement in back-country activaities has increased significantly. Clubs are drastically underfunded since their membership fees are voluntary and the tireless effort of volunteers has been the only way to stretch the limited funding that these areas receive.
I have no problem with raising the fees. But $20 ? That is a 66% increase. I realize that costs have gone up but 66%? How about a $5 or maybe even a $10 increase? This just seems high to me, as there are many private clubs across the state that groom the trails.
I have no issue with the yearly registration fee be increased to $50.25 as long as the focus of the fee increase is to the motorized use areas for grooming & maintenance with funding also going to SAR as their involvement in back-country activaities has increased significantly. Clubs are drastically underfunded since their membership fees are voluntary and the tireless effort of volunteers has been the only way to stretch the limited funding that these areas receive.
Before CPW pursues an increase in fees I think they should enforce the fees they currently have in place. Where I ride, I would say 50% of the people on the groomed trails have registered sleds. Most I have talked to say, "oh we only ride the back country," but they ride 10 miles of groomed trails to get to the back country. The fees also help protect your right to have access to the back country it also probably paid for the parking lot where you park your trailer when you go ride. The fee is pretty minor considering what you pay for a sled, trailer, gas, oil, etc. The club I belong to has asked CPW to enforce the registration and they basically say they are too busy and maybe come out 1 time per year to do enforcement. Bottom line is $50 or $30 is a drop in the bucket compared to what you spend just on gas. If you want areas to ride, parking lots, groomed trails, you got to pay to play and even $50 per year is nothing.
I believe this fee is excessive. CPW fees just keep going up and up. I use my snowmobile for ranch work and occasional public gland use. If we’re not going to charge hikers, bikers, skiers, and snowshoers, Stop expecting motorized users to carry the bill for everyone. On that note, I feel that mountain bikes should pay the same registration as ATV users. Thank you.
NO, we pay to much for all our plates on everything.
They can't even get this website to work
We already pay to much for everything we license in Colorado,20 year old pickup is still outrageous. People still have temp plates that expired years ago driving around and we pay for trailers we use very seldom. Bad deal to raise it for no benefit to the one that license everything on time.
They can't even get this website to work
I think a increase would be valued if all of the funds where public access. Like the summer. But also I have worked for both of sticker programs, summer and winter and I know for a fact this money does not get distributed correctly or how the public thinks it is. If the money goes to the snowmobilers it's great....but it doesn't. After a decade of watching people pay into a system that works in theory but not in practice. I am tired of it.
I disagree with a fee increase! A majority of snowmobile riders would not benefit. Lots of back county riders here. Snowbike riders prefer backcountry non-groomed. If higher fees bring more groomed trails thats one thing, riders I know would still not ride them. I would like the fees to stay as they are.
Colorado recreation comes with an inordinate amount of fees. For someone who enjoys living and recreating in Colorado, the fees seem endless - annual fees for ATVs and snowmobiles, species specific hunting lotteries that require a small game hunting and/or fishing license to participate in, vehicle fees in addition to campsite fees, the list goes on. Colorado is a fairly populous state, rather than draining the budget by the recent decreased cost of annual park passes and passing along the shortfall to those who snowmobile - couldn't the park pass cost could be adjusted upward? Alternatively, like for hunting, perhaps non-residents could pay a higher snowmobile registration fee? I agree with another commenter, until snowmobile trails are actually maintained exclusively for snowmobiles, I'm not in favor of raising the registration fee. In my area the trails are maintained by a local club - so how will the increased registration fee even help my situation? I routinely donate to my local club.
I ride a snow bike and ride non-groomed trails, if any trails at all. Even when a do ride snowmobile, never groomed trails or people I ride with. There are alot of people that will not benefit from this. Fees are already pretty high for the short season we have to ride.
Way overdue, could triple the current price .
There should be no fee increase. The grooming in SW CO is garbage. They only groom where guided tours and cross country skiers are. Most other places only get groomed a few times per year. Most of us dirt bikers clear trails in the summer as the forest service doesn't. Quit wasting money.