Colorado grants Ute Mountain Ute and Southern Ute tribes free access to state parks

Members of Colorado’s Ute Mountain Ute and Southern Ute Indian tribes now have free access to all 43 state parks following the enactment of House Bill 1163. The law, effective August 5, waives state park fees for tribal members who present a valid tribal photo ID card. State Rep. Katie Stewart, D-Durango, one of the bill's sponsors, described the measure as “the first step in an ongoing process by the state to honor the commitment and uphold the ancestral land reconnection for the oldest continuous residents of our state.”

The bill also mandates that Colorado Parks and Wildlife engage with other tribal nations and explore expanding access to additional Indigenous communities. Reports on these outreach efforts are due to legislators in January 2026 and 2027, according to SkyHi News.