Celebrate Colorado’s 150th anniversary by visiting state parks for free on August 3, joining 14er Climb: Summit 2026, a statewide 14er challenge
Joey Livingston
July 31, 2026DENVER — To celebrate Colorado Day and the state's 150th birthday, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is offering free entry to all Colorado state parks on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026. CPW is one of many sponsors of 14er Climb: Summit 2026, a Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry (OREC) event celebrating Colorado’s 150th anniversary and America’s 250th anniversary.
The state legislature created Colorado Day to mark the anniversary of statehood, granted in 1876 by President Ulysses S. Grant. The state recognizes this annual holiday on the first of the month, and state parks celebrate the occasion with free entrance on the first Monday of August.
14er Climb: Summit 2026 on August 1
Celebrate Colorado’s 150th and America’s 250th anniversaries by joining this statewide 14er hiking challenge. Whether you hike a peak or choose the Flat 14ers option, we welcome Coloradans of all abilities to get outside, honor our shared history, and celebrate the future we’re building together.
Learn more and see which summit you want to tackle first: https://cpw.info/4vZHpXu
Free State Park Entry on August 3
This free entry day is an opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in the beauty of Colorado state parks and their diverse landscapes. All other park fees remain in effect, including camping reservations, boat and off-highway vehicle registrations, and hunting and fishing licenses. CPW also has apparel, stickers and postcards honoring this historic event available at cpwshop.com.
CPW urges all state park visitors to act as stewards of our state’s land, wildlife, and water. By balancing outdoor recreation with mindful conservation, we can all protect Colorado's natural beauty. Here are some outdoor tips to help you recreate responsibly.
Know Before You Go
- Plan your visit with the Colorado State Parks Guide (el folleto de parques en Español).
- Use the online State Park Finder tool to discover outdoor activities at each state park.
- Download the free COTREX app to find trail maps and customize your adventure.
- Find park events and classes on the CPW Events Calendar.
- Participate in Celebrate Colorado Week, a statewide celebration coordinated by the Governor's Office where Coloradans can enjoy free and discounted activities.
- Stay hydrated: Bring more water than you think you (and your pet) will need.
Remember that life jackets save lives. The majority of water-related deaths occur because people do not wear them.
- Wear a life jacket (pets too): Learn about CPW’s life jacket loaner program.
- Paddleboards and kayaks are considered vessels, and life jacket requirements apply.
- Only boat or paddle in conditions in which you are comfortable and confident paddling.
- Keep your vessel clean, drained, and dry to help prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species (ANS). Find a Statewide Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination Site in Colorado.
Be Careful with Fire
Fire safety requires a state-wide effort, and CPW encourages state park visitors to always practice fire safety.
- Check fire restrictions or bans at www.coemergency.com.
- Download the free Colorado Trail Explorer (COTREX) app for wildfire alerts.
- Drown fires out with water until you can touch the embers.
- Never leave a fire unattended.
- Avoid parking or driving on dry grass.
- Check your tire pressure, exhaust pipes, and whether chains or exposed wheel rims are dragging from your vehicle, which may create sparks.
Keep Wildlife Wild
- Do not feed or approach wildlife.
- Be BearWise® on trails.
- Keep dogs leashed on dog-friendly trails.
Join us in keeping Colorado, Colorado. Get a $29 Keep Colorado Wild Pass with your next vehicle registration and support state parks, search and rescue teams, avalanche safety, wildlife conservation, and outdoor education. Learn more at cpw.info/keepcoloradowild and cpw.info/keepcoloradowildpassspanish.
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Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is an enterprise agency, relying primarily on license sales, state parks fees and registration fees to support its operations, including: 43 state parks and more than 350 wildlife areas covering approximately 900,000 acres, management of fishing and hunting, wildlife watching, camping, motorized and non-motorized trails, boating and outdoor education. CPW's work contributes approximately $6 billion in total economic impact annually throughout Colorado.
DISCLAIMER: The Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) website maintains press releases containing historical information that may no longer be accurate. Press releases are dated, which should be noted to determine whether the information provided is current. Please review our current regulations and brochures for up-to-date information.