STATEWIDE — With the passing of the Hunting, Fishing and Parks for Future Generations Act through the Colorado Legislature in April 2018, Colorado Parks and Wildlife has begun pursuing its 10 goals to fulfill by 2025, one of which is to identify and begin planning the development of Colorado’s next state park.

The public is invited to join the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission for a public forum about Colorado’s future state parks. The “Envisioning Colorado’s Future State Parks” Commission Forum will be held at Colorado Mountain College’s Morgridge Commons Meeting & Conference Center in Glenwood Springs and broadcast on Facebook live, www.facebook.com/ColoradoParksandWildlife/

Two panels will discuss what an innovative state park could look like that is designed, in part, to engage, activate and recruit underrepresented users. In the process, this discussion will help to inform CPW’s criteria for developing a new state park.

“We want to make sure our state parks offer the amenities and kinds of experiences that all Coloradans want from the outdoors,” said Margaret Taylor, assistant director of Capital, Parks, and Trails. “This forum will be a great first step in starting this important discussion.”

The forum will take place on Thursday, September 6 from 2 - 5 p.m. as part of the CPW Commission meeting in Glenwood Springs.

Agenda?Envisioning Colorado’s Future State Parks?Fact sheets?Colorado’s Changing Population?Colorado’s State Parks

2 p.m. - Welcome?Chairman John Howard

2:10 p.m. - Introductory Presentation?CPW Assistant Director Margaret Taylor?Commissioner Carrie Besnette Hauser 

2:30 p.m. - Panel 1 Discussion?Moderator: Krista Heiner, CPW?Panelists?Dan Gates, Chairman of Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management?Allison Kincaid, Executive Director of Colorado Parks & Recreation Association?Jake O’Connor, President & Owner of ReActive Adaptations?Andrea Kurth, Youth Engagement Coordinator for Leadville Ranger District, San Isabel National Forest?Jackie Radilla, Community Hub Coordinator for Get Outdoors Leadville!

3:30 p.m. - Panel 2 Discussion?Moderator: Krista Heiner, CPW?Panelists?Mike Pritchard, Executive Director of Roaring Fork Mountain Bike Association?Jed Selby, President of South Main?Loretta Pineda, Executive Director of Environmental Learning for Kids?Janie VanWinkle, Owner & Manager of  VanWinkle Ranch, LLC

4:30 p.m. - Commission Discussion

5 p.m. - Wrap-up and Adjourn

Chairman John Howard