Search-and-rescue costs soar as state weighs new fee increase
By Ali Longwell | The Aspen Times
While Colorado’s backcountry search-and-rescue missions have increased significantly in the past few decades, statewide funding for the volunteer-staffed programs across the state has struggled to keep up with the growth.
A proposed fee increase before the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission next week aims to rectify this. As contemplated, it would increase a $0.25 surcharge — applied to most Parks and Wildlife licenses and registrations, including hunting and fishing licenses, as well as boat and off-highway vehicle permits — to $1.25 to bring it in line with inflation and the program’s needs today.
The growth of Colorado’s backcountry search-and-rescue programs
Colorado’s first formal mountain rescue team was c...
