As the president of the Cutthroat Chapter of Trout Unlimited in Littleton, I strongly support the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Future Generations Act (SB18-143), a bill that will provide critical resources for public lands and wildlife in Colorado.

In the recent State of the Rockies Poll, 96 percent of Colorado respondents indicated that a strong economy is driven by outdoor recreation, and 87 percent said it was a significant advantage over other states when it comes to attracting a qualified workforce and business investment. In 2017, outdoor recreation contributed over $34 billion to the Colorado economy. We must make sure that Colorado continues to invest in this major economic driver.

Unfortunately, CPW has been prevented from raising fees since 2006, resulting in major cuts to staff and over $40 million from their wildlife budget. These financial decisions create significant impacts on hunters, anglers and all outdoor recreationists in Colorado. Since the CPW is funded primarily through user fees, they do not pose a tax burden on our communities.

The CPW Future Generations Act will restore funding to the department by enabling CPW to increase resident licenses (by only $8) and invest in the future of our public resources. Additional funds will eliminate deficit spending, increase hunting and fishing opportunities, and protect critical wildlife habitat. Learn more about the bill at www.cpw.state.co.us.

This common-sense initiative is an investment in the future of our public lands and our state’s economy. Contact your state legislators indicating your support for this important legislation.

Allen Adinoff

President of Cutthroat Chapter Trout Unlimited