Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Image of pine forest at State Forest State Park with snowcapped mountain peaks in the background.

Why Donate?

Colorado just wouldn’t be Colorado without our impressive landscapes, diverse wildlife, and all the opportunities to get out and live life outdoors.

Colorado is a resource and playground for all. Every contribution goes a long way to help protect our wildlife and natural spaces, to support our state parks and outdoor recreational opportunities, and to introduce new people to all the wonders of Colorado's great outdoors.

Donations Support 3 Major Areas

Image of a River Otter rolling in grass.

Image of Lake Agnes at State Forest State Park.

Image of a CPW ranger giving a young girl a high five in front of a bus.

Wildlife & Conservation: At Colorado Parks and Wildlife we aim to conserve Colorado’s 960 species of wildlife and the diverse habitats they call home. By supporting our wildlife and conservation efforts you help to preserve Colorado’s most precious natural resources. From rivers to mountain tops, cutthroat trout to bighorn sheep, you support the very essence of what makes Colorado, Colorado.

State Parks & Recreation: Colorado boasts more than 40 state parks and countless opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. By donating to state parks and outdoor recreation, you support your favorite outdoor activities, and the places you love to do them. Your donation keeps you, and others like you, riding, hiking, camping and climbing through Colorado’s amazing state parks and great outdoors.

Educate & Inspire: At Colorado Parks and Wildlife we are committed to breaking down the barriers to Colorado’s natural spaces. We provide community programs, how-to seminars, classroom curriculum, conservation workshops, and many other outreach opportunities for Coloradans and our visitors. By supporting our efforts to educate and inspire you help a new generation to live life outside.

Image of a male Greater-Sage grouse with tail feathers spread.

Your gift makes a difference in Colorado's great outdoors. Support Colorado Parks and Wildlife and donate today!

Other Ways to Support CPW

Mail-in Donations

To send in a donation, please make your check payable to Colorado Parks and Wildlife and mail it to:

CPW Donations
Attn: Financial Services
6060 Broadway
Denver, CO 80216

Leave a Legacy

Leave a Legacy through your Will or Trust

Including Colorado Parks and Wildlife in your estate plan will further Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s mission to perpetuate the wildlife resources of the state of Colorado, to provide a quality state parks system, and to provide enjoyable and sustainable outdoor recreation opportunities that educate and inspire current and future generations.

By making a gift in your will, trust, or other estate planning vehicles, you can leave a legacy for generations to come.

Wills and Trusts

Including Colorado Parks and Wildlife in your estate plans is easy. All it takes is a few sentences in your will or trust. Your gift can be made as a percentage of your estate, or a specific sum. The following language can be shared with your estate planning attorney:

"I give, devise, and bequeath to State of Colorado, acting by and through the Department of Natural Resources, for the benefit of the Division of Parks and Wildlife and the Parks and Wildlife Commission (“CPW”), located at 6060 Broadway, Denver, CO 80216 – EIN 84-0644739: [TU1] The sum of $___________or ____percent (____%) of my net residuary estate after the payment of all my debts and taxes or all the rest, residue and remainder of my estate to be used for the benefit of the CPW area of greatest need."

Beneficiary Designations

You can also designate Colorado Parks and Wildlife as a beneficiary of all or a portion of a life insurance policy (not owner), retirement fund, or other assets like an annuity or bank account. Simply provide Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s full legal name (“State of Colorado, acting by and through the Department of Natural Resources, for the benefit of the Division of Parks and Wildlife and the Parks and Wildlife Commission”) and our EIN: 84-0644739 to the appropriate financial advisor.

If you have already designated Colorado Parks and Wildlife as a beneficiary, we hope that you will let us know so that we can recognize you and your legacy gift.

Please notify us of your generous intention here.

Interested in learning more about Colorado Parks and Wildlife legacy gifts? Please contact us at CPW.Donate@state.co.us for more information or to discuss your charitable intentions.

Please note, the language provided above is not intended to be a substitute for legal or tax advice. We encourage all prospective donors to seek the assistance of legal and financial advisors.

Get Involved

Host a Fundraiser for CPW

Coming Soon!

Volunteer

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is always looking for people who are passionate about wildlife and our parks. If you have time and/or skills to offer, you can volunteer with us as camp hosts, critter counters, help at events, photographers, clerical support, clean up crews and much, much more. If you wish to know more about giving your time to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, visit our Volunteer page.

Donate when You make a Purchase

Purchase the Wildlife Sporting License Plate

If you’re a Colorado sportsperson, hunting and fishing is more than a hobby or pastime—it’s a way of life. It’s how you connect with nature and, just as important, connect with others who share your passion for Colorado’s wildlife and outdoor heritage. Unite with other hunters and anglers by purchasing a Wildlife Sporting Plate for your vehicle.

Add-on a donation when you purchase a license or product from CPW

When you purchase your fishing license, boat registration, state park pass, or trout trucker hat from our retail store you can add-on a donation to your purchase. Every dollar added-on we put to use supporting our wildlife and conservation efforts, state parks and outdoor recreation activities, and educational programs.

Donate through Your Income Taxes

Help threatened and endangered wildlife by donating all or a portion of your tax refund to the “Colorado Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Fund.” Colorado is home to more than 750 species of wildlife that are categorized as “nongame” species - animals that are not hunted, fished or trapped. Your tax deductible donation supports rehabilitation and preservation of these species through Colorado Parks and Wildlife programs.

Learn more about the income tax checkoff.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is CPW a 501c3?

No, Colorado Parks and Wildlife is not a 501(c)(3) organization. CPW is a state agency, which has been granted legislative authority to accept and spend gifts and donations from individuals and organizations. See §§ 33-1-105(1)(f)(I)(A), 33-10-107(1)(e)(I)(A), C.R.S. CPW will use donated funds for exclusively public purposes as outlined in the federal Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. § 170(b)(1)(A)(v), 170(c)(1).

Are my donations to CPW tax deductible?

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is a government agency, and the federal Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. § 170(c)(1), allows for charitable contributions to government agencies if the gift is made for a public purpose. Although each donor’s situation is unique, in most instances, a donation to Colorado Parks and Wildlife qualifies as a tax deduction. Please consult with your tax advisor or the IRS to determine the deductibility of your gift.

Is CPW funded by tax dollars?

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is a state government agency with “enterprise status,” meaning CPW generates more than 90 percent of its annual funding from sources other than taxes or the state’s general fund. CPW relies primarily on license sales, state parks fees, and registration fees to support its operations and mission. For a more detailed understanding of the agency’s revenue sources, please see CPW’s funding page or the Sources and Uses of Funds Fact Sheet.

I have questions about a donation, who can I speak with?

For questions about donations, please email CPW.donate@state.co.us. We’ll make sure the appropriate person receives your email.

What is Mightycause?

You might have noticed the name Mightycause when making a donation or on your donation receipts. Mightycause is a technology partner that provides CPW with online donation processing, crowdfunding capabilities, and communication tools. They help us keep credit card processing costs low so more of your money goes to the projects you intend to support.

What is your Donor Privacy Policy?

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is committed to safeguarding the privacy of its donors to the full extent permitted by law. You may choose to remain anonymous. CPW will work diligently to protect and maintain the confidentiality of a donor or prospective donor’s identity, personal information, amount of any actual gift, and other details related to a gift or donation. CPW will not disclose a donor’s personal information to any unauthorized third parties and will not sell, rent, lend, or exchange its donor lists to any third party. To the extent any donations are processed through a third-party service provider, your donor information will only be used for purposes necessary to process the donation. However, CPW may be required to make certain details related to a donation available for inspection as public records pursuant to the Colorado Open Records Act, §§ 24-72-200.1 to -206, C.R.S. or by order of a court.

COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE

About CPW