Mueller State Park entrance with flag pole

Mueller State Park entrance with flag pole

Required for Entry

Purchase a Pass

All Colorado state parks require an entrance pass for motor vehicles. Even if you don’t have a vehicle, most parks have walk-in fees. 

You can purchase a park pass onl​ine​​​, at any​ state park or Colorado Parks and Wildlife office or through any authorized agent​.

Entrance attendant at Staunton State Park entrance station.

Park Pass

Daily Passes - $10

Daily passes include vehicle passes, towed vehicle passes, individual passes, and commercial passes. Daily passes are valid until noon following the day of purchase.

  • Daily Vehicle Passes - for motor vehicle entry to state parks (cars, motorhomes, motorcycles, etc). Attach the pass to your windshield where it can be easily seen by park staff. 
  • Towed Vehicle Passes - Motorhomes with camping reservations can get a free tow pass for their towed vehicles. Campers must show their reservation details at a visitor center, entrance station or office to get the towed pass. The motorhome itself still needs a paid pass. The towed pass is valid for the same period as the camping reservation. 
  • Individual Daily Park Passes - for any non-vehicle entry (by foot, bicycle, horseback, etc.). Each Individual Daily Pass allows park entry for the passholder as well as three other accompanying visitors. The pass or other proof of purchase must be carried on the passholder's person while inside the park. 
  • Daily Commercial Vehicle Passes - for any group (commercial, school, non-profit) arriving in a commercial vehicle (van, bus, etc).

Daily passes can be purchased directly at any park entrance gate, subject to park capacity limits. Please contact the park ahead of time if you wish to visit the park in a commercial vehicle.

Be sure to check the page of the park you intend to visit for any additional fees.

Compare Annual Passes

Colorado license plate example.

Keep Colorado Wild Pass

  • Colorado resident

  • Vehicle registered in Colorado

$29

1 Year

Individual Annual Parks Pass

Individual Pass

  • Non-vehicle entry (by foot, bike, etc.)

  • Resident or nonresident

$29

1 Year

Family park pass

Family Parks Pass

  • Registered to one household

  • Can be moved between vehicles

$120

1 Year

Annual affixed vehicle parks pass

Affixed Vehicle Parks Pass

  • Registered to a vehicle

  • Resident or nonresident

$80

1 Year

Aspen leaf parks pass

Aspen Leaf Parks Pass

  • 64 years or older

  • Colorado resident

  • Vehicle registered in Colorado

$70

1 Year

Choose an Annual Pass

    Keep Colorado Wild Pass: $29

    Valid for one year or until the current vehicle registration expires (whichever comes first).

    Colorado residents can get a Keep Colorado Wild Pass when registering a car, motorcycle, recreational vehicle or light truck through the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The pass is included in your registration total unless you choose to opt out. The pass is linked to your license plate and is not transferable between vehicles.​ 

    Your pass helps manage Colorado's state parks, supports backcountry safety gear for search and rescue professionals, helps fund wildlife conservation, and helps grow outdoor accessibility and educational programs in local communities.

    Individual Annual Pass: $29

    An Individual Annual Pass is required for any non-vehicle entry (by foot, bicycle, horseback, etc.) to most state parks. Each Individual Annual Pass allows non-vehicle entry to all state parks for the passholder, as well as three other accompanying visitors. The pass or other proof of purchase must be carried on the passholder's person while inside a park. 

    Family Annual Pass: $120

    A Family Annual Pass is linked with the pass purchaser's household address. Anyone from the same household as the person who purchased the pass may use the pass. The pass may be transferred between vehicles as long as a resident at the purchaser's address is present. 

    If you purchase your Family Annual Pass online or from a sales agent, you can pick up your hang tag on your first park visit. 

    Only one lost or stolen replacement transferable pass will be offered annually for 50% of the full pass price.  

    Family Annual Multiple Pass: $40 for each additional pass

    Customers with a Family Annual Pass may purchase a Multiple Pass for additional vehicles registered in the same name or registered to another individual living at the same address. All multiple passes are affixed passes.​ Multiple passes are valid for the same dates as the primary annual park pass. 

    Multiple passes are not available for purchase online. Obtain your multiple pass at any state park or Colorado Parks and Wildlife office or at any authorized sales agent​. 

    Please provide:

    • Proof of registration with registration address​​​ on all vehicles
    • Proof of first annual pass purchased or receipt of original

    How to Attach Your Affixed Parks Pass to Your Vehicle

    All Family Annual Multiple Vehicle passes must be permanently affixed to your vehicle. Customers who purchase an Annual Affixed, Aspen Leaf or Multiple pass will be provided a sticker to affix their pass in the extreme lower passenger-side of their windshield. 

    Annual Affixed Vehicle Parks Pass: $80 per vehicle

    When purchasing an Annual Affixed Vehicle Pass, you must provide your vehicle license plate number. If you have a temporary license plate, you must provide the last six digits of your vehicle identification number​ (VIN). If you have more than one vehicle, additional vehicle passes (see “Annual Vehicle Multiple Pass,” below) need to be purchased separately. Multiple passes are valid on the same dates as the primary annual pass. 

    Annual Vehicle Multiple Pass: $40 for each additional affixed vehicle pass

    Customers with an Annual Affixed Vehicle Pass may purchase a Multiple Pass for additional vehicles registered in the same name or registered to another individual living at the same address. All multiple passes are affixed passes.​ Multiple passes are valid for the same dates as the primary annual parks pass. 

    Multiple passes are not available for purchase online. Obtain your multiple pass at any state park or Colorado Parks and Wildlife office or at any authorized sales agent​. 

    • Proof of first annual pass purchased or receipt of original
    • Proof of registration with registration address​​​ on all vehicles

    How to Attach Your Affixed Parks Pass to Your Vehicle

    All annual vehicle passes (except the Family Annual Pass) must be permanently affixed to your vehicle. Customers who purchase an Annual Vehicle, Aspen Leaf, or Multiple Pass will be provided a sticker to affix their pass to the extreme lower passenger-side of their windshield.

    Aspen Leaf Pass: $70 per vehicle

    Valid for 12 months from the date of purchase. 

    The Aspen Leaf Pass is for Colorado residents 64 years and older and is affixed to a motor vehicle registered in Colorado and owned in whole or or in part by the Aspen Leaf Pass holder. 

    The pass includes discounted camping (a $3 discount per night), Sunday through Thursday. The camping discount does not include weekends, holidays or reservations on cabins or yurts.​ In order to qualify for the camping discount, you must have a current, valid Aspen Leaf Pass on record at the time of making the reservation and at the time of your stay, and the Aspen Leaf Pass holder must be the primary occupant of the campsite.

    If the Aspen Leaf Pass holder is not in the vehicle, the pass is not valid for entry. 

    Aspen Leaf Multiple Vehicle Pass: $35 for each additional pass

    Passes for additional vehicles owned by the Aspen Leaf Pass holder and registered in Colorado (the Aspen Leaf Multiple Pass) are purchased separately and are valid for the same dates as the primary Aspen Leaf Pass.  If the Aspen Leaf Pass holder is not in the vehicle, the pass is not valid for entry.​​​

    Multiple passes are not available for purchase online. Obtain your multiple pass at any state park or Colorado Parks and Wildlife office or at any authorized sales agent​. Aspen Leaf Multiple passes are valid for the same dates as the primary Aspen Leaf Pass. 

    To purchase an Aspen Leaf Multiple Pass for additional vehicles, please provide the following: ​

    • Proof of purchase for original Aspen Leaf Pass
    • Original Aspen Leaf Pass holder's Colorado driver's license issued at least six months prior showing Colorado address and age
    • Colorado vehicle registration with a Colorado address that has the original Aspen Leaf Pass holder listed as an owner or part owner
    • Vehicle's Colorado license plate number. If you have a temporary license plate, you must provide the last six digits of your vehicle identification number​ (VIN).
    Towed Vehicle Pass: Free

    A no-fee pass shall be issued to any vehicle towed or carried in by a motor home if a camping permit or proof of a campsite reservation is presented at an attended visitor center, office, or entrance station. The no-fee pass, valid for the same time period as the camping permit or camping reservation, shall authorize entrance by motor vehicle to the state recreation areas and state parks by the user and all passengers in the motor vehicle to which the pass is affixed. For the purpose of this regulation, motor home means a vehicle designed to provide temporary living quarters and which is built into, as an integral part of or a permanent attachment to, a motor vehicle chassis or van.

    Annual Replacement Pass 

    If you need a replacement pass because your pass was lost, damaged or stolen, the replacement fee is half the cost of the pass, unless you can provide either the pass itself or proof of the missing pass (such as a police report, windshield replacement receipt or bill of sale). With sufficient proof, the replacement fee will be waived. 

    All replacements, free or at a cost, require proof of purchase: either the top panels from the card containing your pass or  a record of the purchase on your CPW customer profile. Replacement passes are valid the same dates as the pass being replaced. Replacement passes are not available online but can be purchased at any state park or CPW office.

    Replacement Pass Prices:
    • Individual Pass: $14.50 
    • Family Pass: $60. (The Family Annual Pass allows for one replacement per pass.) 
    • Affixed Vehicle Pass: $40 
    • Aspen Leaf Pass: $35

    Parks Passes

    Specialty Parks Passes Available

    Colorado Parks and Wildlife offers special discounted and free parks passes for the following Colorado residents:

    • With disabilities
    • Income eligible
    • Veterans or Purple Heart Recipients
    • Disabled First Responders

    Group Passes

    Passes for Visiting Groups in Buses or Vans

    Please contact the park your group wishes to visit ahead of your visiting date to purchase any group passes. 

    Paperwork for proof of business, school or non-profit is not required if your commercial vehicle is branded (logos on the side). If your vehicle is unmarked, please bring identifying organization information with you.

      Trinidad-Lake-Schendel-040.jpg

      Commercial Groups

      Day passes for groups in commercial passenger vehicles (vans, buses) start at $10 and are determined by the number of passengers in the vehicle. Commercial groups are not allowed to purchase annual passes.

      School and Non-profit Groups

      • Day passes for school or non-profit groups are $10 per vehicle.
      • School and non-profit groups are allowed to purchase the Annual Affixed Vehicle pass.

      Dog Off-leash Pass

      The Dog Off-leash Pass is required for the Dog Off-leash Areas at Cherry Creek and Chatfield state parks. Both annual and daily Dog Off-leash passes can be purchased at the Visitor Center, park entrance station or self-service station at either park. Annual Dog Off-leash passes can also be purchased online. Park entrance passes​ are an additional fee. 

      Dog Off-leash Passes:

      • Annual: $25
      • Daily: $3

      Dog Off-leash Passes must be visibly displayed on the dog handler at all times when in the Dog Off-leash Area. ​​

      Dog icon

      Day Pass: $3

      A day pass allows one handler to bring in up to three dogs.

      Dog icon

      Annual Pass: $25

      An annual pass allows one handler from a household to bring up to three dogs. This pass is valid for 12 months from the date of purchase. The duplicate fee for a lost pass is $5.

      Purchase Online

      Annual Passes

      Buying Bulk Annual Passes for Your Family or Employees

      Families or businesses wishing to purchase annual park passes in bulk must visit any CPW location or state park. They cannot be purchased online.

        ​Annual Affixed Parks passes and Family Parks passes purchased in large quantities, starting at 20 passes, during a single sales transaction at a CPW location may receive the following discounts. If you’d like to get the quantity discount, contact your local CPW office or park​ for additional information.

        • If you purchase 20–49 passes = 20% discount 
        • If you purchase 50–99 passes = 25% discount 
        • If you purchase 100+ passes = 30% discount 

        Please note that the Aspen Leaf Pass is not available for bulk order discounts.

        Deciding whether to purchase bulk passes or the Keep Colorado Wild (KCW) Pass? The most discounted CPW bulk parks pass is $56, while the Keep Colorado Wild Pass is $29. KCW and bulk passes offer the same park access, but the KCW Pass is only available to Colorado residents. Bulk pass purchases are not eligible for refunds.

        Customers can redeem a bulk pass voucher for their parks pass at any CPW location or state park. Vouchers cannot be redeemed online. Please note that vouchers cannot be redeemed after the expiration date printed on them.

        A man standing in a field, painting a scenic landscape.

        Keep Colorado Wild Pass — Let Nature Unlock Your Creativity

        For only $29, get a Keep Colorado Wild Pass with your next vehicle registration and find unlimited inspiration. The pass gives you entry to all state parks plus so much more!

        State Parks & Recreation—Your pass helps manage Colorado’s 42 state parks, including keeping them clean and building new trails and facilities.

        Backcountry Safety—Your pass supports the volunteer and equipment needs of search and rescue professionals across Colorado and avalanche safety programs through the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. 

        Wildlife Conservation—Additional money raised not used for state parks and outdoor safety will be used to support the State Wildlife Action Plan, which helps fund wildlife and habitat conservation work for the 960 species that CPW manages.

        Local Communities—Your pass supports our natural resources and helps grow outdoor accessibility and educational programs in local communities.