Snowmobile Registration and Permit Fees

Hello,

My name is Mark Buckland and I am Vice President of the Colorado Snowmobile Association (CSA).

https://snowmobilecolo.com/

I support the fee increase. Cost increases are never easy. But this fee increase is long past due and very much needed.

Before I explain my reasons for supporting the fee increase let me say thank you.

Thank you to CPW for collecting user input, sharing the user input, being transparent in the fee increase process and being a valuable partner to the Colorado Snowmobile Association (CSA).

Thank you to everyone who provided comments. Both the positive and negative comments are helpful because they provide insight into the Colorado snowmobile community. It is not possible to satisfy everyone. But we at CSA want to provide the best snowmobiling experience to as many snowmobilers as possible whether it be through trail grooming, improved parking, snowmobile access or other things.

CSA works to advance, promote and preserve snowmobiling in Colorado. CSA is composed of 36 snowmobile clubs across Colorado with 27 of those clubs grooming nearly 3000 miles of snowmobile trails across Colorado.

Each year the CSA District Reps who sit on the CPW Snowmobile Subcommittee work with CPW to allocate money collected from the snowmobile fees to snowmobile clubs across the state. The local clubs then use the allocated money to groom trails, purchase snowcats, maintain snowcats, improve parking and do other snowmobile related work. Each year the requests for money are larger than the available money and difficult decisions are made about what projects to fund or not fund.

The money requests are larger than the available money because of increased costs for snowcats, fuel and other items. Not because of poor management from CPW or the local snowmobile clubs. By Colorado law 100% of snowmobile fees go back to the snowmobile community except for CPW administration fees which are capped 17%. The CPW administration fees covers mailing registrations, program staff, new rider education and avalanche safety. The local snowmobile clubs are volunteer and donate thousands of hours each year grooming trails, maintaining equipment, working on parking, meeting with county, state and federal officials and doing other snowmobile related work.

Examples of increased costs since the last fee increase in 2007 are many. For example the costs of snowcat have tripled since 2007, insurance costs are up, parking lot improvements cost more and there is increased snowmobile usage. Yet CPW and CSA are being asked to do more with less. Using historical average inflation of 2.48% and the inflation calculator link below we see that $30 in 2007 would be equivalent to $47 dollars in 2024. So that means the $30 fee in 2007 is worth $17 (36% = $17/$47) less today in 2024.

CSA is asking to increase the fee to $52 in 2025 and not $47 dollars so that there is margin to account for future inflation. Increasing the fee to $52 would cover the average inflation of 2.48% until 2030. Since the last fee increase was in 2007 it is unknown when the next fee increase will be. But in the future CSA would like to advocate for more frequent fee increases so that the fee increases are smaller and don't feel like such a shock to the snowmobile community.

https://smartasset.com/investing/inflation-calculator

In regards to comments about Colorado snowmobile fees compared to other states it is important to note that CSA had similar questions and we also looked at other states when making our decisions. But in many of the other states the snowmobile programs get additional state money for personnel and equipment which Colorado does not. Some of the other states also require “Winter Parking Permits” in addition to snowmobile fees which Colorado does not. And finally those other states will probably also be increasing their fees in the future.

And in regards to comments about people who do not ride groomed trails I think that is fantastic. We all like to find the powder and get away from the crowds. But remember that while most of the fees go towards grooming the fees also go towards other physical things that persist like improved parking at Rabbit Ears, North Routt, Vail Pass, Wolf Creek and Durango. So if you have ever parked at any of the above areas when chasing the snow then you are benefitted from the snowmobile fees and the work CSA does.

For those who are interested in how snowmobile fees are allocated I encourage you to talk with CSA or your local snowmobile club and maybe even get involved. CSA has four quarterly meetings a year which are open to the public. CSA will be at the Colorado Snomo Expo in Denver on Friday 10/25/2024 and Saturday 10/26/2024. On Saturday 10/26/2024 we will have our fall quarterly meeting. We have discussed the fee increase many times during our meetings over the years and I know we will be discussing it again.

https://coloradosnomoexpo.com/

Finally, I believe snowmobiling should not only be about just the strong and able riders. Snowmobiling should be about everyone including our kids who get cold, our parents who are not as strong anymore, our friends who have never been and the search and rescue that takes the call when they are needed. CSA helps make snowmobiling for everyone by helping groom snowmobile trails across the state and increasing the snowmobile fee to $52 will help CSA continue its important work.

I look forward to seeing you at the Colorado Snomo Expo and on the snow!

Thank you,
Mark Buckland
Vice President - Colorado Snowmobile Association
https://snowmobilecolo.com/

As an out of stater, I simply cannot believe you get access to all these beautiful areas without a vehicle Park Permit! My truck looks like a NASCAR vehicle with my SD, NE, IA, KS and MO Permits for different trips I have taken or my kids have used my truck for pulling boats, etc. Yet, I come up and enjoy the BEST areas of all of them combined completely free. I actually feel guilty pulling my truck in an hiking without any cost. I do join the CSA, and several local clubs for areas I ride, Summit Riderz, Grand Lake, etc. to help with the costs so when I ride I have access to great areas. I have 4 sleds, and the current fee seems very small in comparison to everything else to get to ride in such a beautiful area. CPW and the local clubs do a great job with these resources. Getting them some additional funds to make better and keep up with costs is a very reasonable request.

I am an avid user of the Colorado outdoors. If it helps with access and improvements, grooming and other activities, I am completely in favor of higher fees and usage taxes. If a person has $20,000 to drop on a new sled, several hundred dollars in fuel, etc. the ONE TIME incredibly SMALL fee that is charged in relation to everything else laughable, again, an increase in this fee for more/better, heck even the same services more would not change the dynamic one bit. People who complain about this are crazy. Heck, my gas prices that I pay now versus 8 years ago are 100's of dollars for a weekend higher, yet I still come and enjoy. I don't understand how we can expect clubs and others to pay these higher fuel rates, insurance, machine costs and more and not get an increase in the usage fees. I have never met a fellow sledder who needed a part for his broken down sled who didn't get fixed to get back out their. I consider some of the trail maintenance broken down and in need of money to fix up better.

This is a ONE time purchase, I go to Vail Recreation area multiple times a year and happily pay the EVERY time fee to enjoy great access to great trails, and looking at the parking lot so do many, many, many people. Please increase the fee so we all can enjoy the great outdoors and not lose access to this great resource! Would also like to see a VERY HIGH penalty for those who do not register their sleds.

Do not raise the fee, be more efficient with the current budget. The percentage that goes to the local clubs should be increased while the amount CPW takes should be reduced.

Commercial business fees (eg rentals, back country snowcat skiing, etc)


Businesses which rely on local club-based grooming should be required to pay an additional permitting fee based on user days or some other traffic related metric directly to this same funding pool

Resident vs non-resident

Should remain the same!

Co users are not competing with non-residents for our snow usage

Non-residents typically ride 10 days or less

Non-residents spend a lot of money to be able to sled in co

It would be a poor business decision to try to generate more money by charging more and discouraging co destination recreation/spending

Up “here” non- residents help keep businesses open, employing people and collecting tax revenue

I would support an increase to cover admin expense creep (eg 2023-24 avail funding $200k MORE than 2024-25)

200k over 40k registrations is $5.00

$35.25 per sled makes sense

I have 4 snow machines + CSA membership + 1 club , “fees alone”, today $206.00

I think the survey should have brackets that break on 5’s 35-45 would be my choice

I'm not apposed to raising fees but at the end of the day all users of public land need to pay to use it. It seems to me that hunters, OHV and Snowmobile users seem to take the burden on paying while other users seem to use for free. Cross country skiers, dog sleders, mountain bikers, snowshoers, all winter recreationist should all share the burden. I'm a big proponent of everyone should be able to use the land but should all pay to use if that's the case.

I am a snowmobiler, hunter, fisherman, and OHV owner. In our area, the groomed trails are a number of miles away. I have often thought that the bike trails in our area (which are many and well groomed) should be snowmobile trails in the Winter. Since that will never happen, instead of placing the burden on a few of us, compared to the many that bike, cross country ski, etc., have a permit for bicyclers (both peddle and electric). I am not in favor of raising the snowmobile registration fees.
White River area snowmobiler

As a snowmobiler, I have had a lot of negative experiences with cross country skiers, dog sledders, hikers and fat-biker mountain bikes on the trails here around the southwest part of the state. They are using winter trails that are being maintained by snowmobile registration dollars, yet act like we have no business riding there. If you’re looking to generate more revenue, maybe take a look at requiring a permit for all users across the board…skiers, bikers, hikers, horseback riders, etc. Much like the habitat stamp we must purchase for hunting and fishing. With that being said, more trail grooming is not as important to me as is keeping areas open for ALL users to enjoy.
Durango-Mancos area snowmobiler, OHVer, mountain biker, and hunter.

I am an in-state resident that believes fees should go up for everyone. The out-of-state crowds are getting bigger every year, so that should tell you where you might have the most to gain.

Your survey was hard to take, not knowing what those monies will be going to. If I had a better understanding of where those funds are being used, then it would've been easier to say how much more I was willing to pay. So, "it depends," would be my real answer.

Also, if there is any way to increase registration cost for the self-rental sleds (as they are a commercial entity), I would be very much in favor of that. Having these businesses pay the same registration as an in-state individual resident doesn't seem right.

I have no issue paying more to snowmobile in Colorado, I think the yearly permits are a bargain and the CPW staff do great work. I do believe that other users ( bikers, hikers, four wheel drive vehicles and the like should also without exception be held to a yearly permit standard also to share in the trail and roads maintenance costs.

1) raise fee to $40
2) learn how many nonregistered sledders and nonmotorized users are using trails
3) improve compliance by more patrolling at busier trailheads and along trails and imposing fines
3)require commercial operators to pay to register vehicles if they dont already
4) begin registration fees for mountain bikers and e-bikers and winter fat bikers for use of forest service and BLM lands especially where winter trails are also used in summer to provide more funding for maintaining those trails year-round.
5) place signs at trails informing nonmotorized users they are using trails funded by motorized users.
6) inform registrants where, how, when funds are being spent and proportion funded by club dues vs vehicle registration fees.
7) Do not close off more areas for motorized over snow use.
Western slope dirt biker, mountain biker, snowmobiler with 3 sleds and a snowbike

Recommend increasing, however not more than 30%. $40 instate, $150 Commercial and $60 out of state. Also recommend a $20 annual permit fee for non motorized users. Let’s make it equitable that all pay. Also need to restrict these funds from being used for purposes not associated with these outdoor winter activities. Like the wolf fund or environmental studies. Also recommend state provides funding from lotto which was originally suppose to support all outdoor activities.

Typically, I am against increasing fees. Grooming trails is necessary for public safety. first responders have better access options allowing safe quicker rescues. I have plenty of Summit county rescue and Summit Sheriffs dept backing with that statement. The cost to operate a local trail grooming program has gone up, like everything else. The cost of snowcats and snow cat repairs and maintenance has gone up significantly! the number of trail users is up. OUR area we are seeing more skiers and snowshoers and snowmobiling numbers have tripled. So, the Cost is up The, number of users is up. The fees have stayed the same 17 yrs. I am not sure what our funding options are but we need to increase funding in my opinion. 25 yr Summit county Colorado snowmobiler, Dad of two snowmobilers. President of our local CSA snowmobile club, Summit Snow Riderz. Thanks!

It is fundamentally unfair to ask snowmobile users to subside the trail use of other recreational users, who then turn around and complain about snowmobiles! Colorado has very limited snowmobile access compared to our neighboring states, with users increasingly crowded into a sparse disconnected trail system and ever-more-regulated off-trail areas. To ask for a fee increase seems unjustified. We do not need more grooming. We need more legal riding areas and trails where snowmobiles are actually given priority as paying users.

Respectfully, please leave the Snowmobile fees alone. CPW fee's continue to grow all around. I spend 4 figures annually to register units we own and use. Honestly, it appears to me a majority of the money is being spent on new facility construction and infrastructure, not employees/equipment and maintenance. Nice for the tourists on vacation, not the residents who live in these areas and already offer support in many other ways. Thank you!

Regarding snowmobile registration fee increases: A graduated fee would be appropriate that ties snowmobile registration fees to membership in local clubs. Current members, in good standing, of one of the 27 or so verified CSA clubs in Colorado already pay additional fees (donations, dues, etc.) that go directly to grooming and maintenance of trails and areas they utilize most. Snowmobile riders, whether resident or non-resident, who utilize those systems often do not make additional contributions (beyond their registration fee) to operation and maintenance costs to the facilities they utilize. Increasing the general state registration fee may cause riders to reduce or eliminate their contributions to those local clubs and thereby reduce the funds available to safe and enjoyable recreation for both motorized and non-motorized recreational users. The amounts contributed by club members, beyond registration fees, is significant and has not been considered in this discussion. Our local clubs and volunteers spend a huge amount of time and locally raised funds to keep trails and areas signed, groomed, toileted, etc. and many Colorado and non-residents use those systems without a commensurate cost. Something to consider.

Removed by moderator.

I am a snowmobiler/snowbiker from Minnesota. Find your number, raise the fees and get the money to the clubs for equipment, maintenance and grooming. From a non-resident point of view, it adds $35 - $45 - $55 dollars to a week long trip in the mountains which, in my opinion, is priceless to begin with. Last year I donated an additional $50 to the North Routt Snow Riders and will do so again this year. I very much appreciate everything they do!