Memorial Day Office Closure
Colorado Parks and Wildlife offices will be closed for the state holiday, Monday, May 25. To honor military members for their service CPW offers active duty military and veteran benefits to enjoy fishing, hunting and state parks.
Required for Entry
Colorado Parks and Wildlife offers special discounted and free parks passes for the following Colorado residents:
Specialty Passes
Valid for 12 months from the issue date.
The Columbine Pass is for a Colorado resident with a total and permanent disability and who is on a fixed/limited income because of their disability. The pass can be moved between vehicles, allowing the Columbine Pass holder and others in the same vehicle to enter the park. The Columbine Pass holder must be present for the pass to be valid.
Columbine Pass holders 64 years of age or older will receive a $3 camping discount per night Sunday through Thursday. This discount does not apply on Fridays, weekends and holidays or on reservations for cabins or yurts.
You must have a current, valid Columbine Pass at the time of your reservation and at the time of your stay and be the primary occupant of your campsite. At the time of your stay, pass holders must provide photo identification with proof of age along with your Columbine Pass to receive the discount.
To qualify for a Columbine Pass, you must be a Colorado resident and provide one of the following as documentation of a total and permanent disability:
Columbine Passes for Youth
Youth who meet all of the qualifications for the program are eligible to apply. A National Park Service disability pass cannot be used as documentation because the criteria for disability programs vary across different agencies and organizations.
To apply, please complete the Columbine License and Pass Application (PDF). Applications are also available at Colorado Parks and Wildlife offices and state parks upon request.
You only need to apply for the pass once. Once you are approved, you will be able to obtain your pass each year online, in person at any CPW location or by phone at 1-800-244-5613, as long as you remain a resident of Colorado.
On your application, CID refers to your account number with Colorado Parks and Wildlife if you have ever purchased licenses or passes, or made camping reservations in the past. If you do not know this number, or do not have an account with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, you can leave this box blank, and it will be filled in for you.
Submit by Email
Email your completed application and supporting documentation (as stated above) to [email protected]. Applicants who submit their application by email will not be sent a physical pass at the time of approval. Approved applicants will have an authorization placed on their account that will allow them to purchase their Columbine Pass online, by phone or in person at any CPW location at their convenience.
Submit by Mail
Mail your completed Columbine Pass application with qualifying documentation of your total or permanent disability and a check or money order for $14, payable to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Mail-in address only:
Colorado Parks & Wildlife
Attn: Columbine Program
6060 Broadway
Denver, CO 80216
Submit In Person
Columbine applications can be processed in person at the CPW headquarters office only:
6060 Broadway
Denver, CO 80216
Other CPW offices are not able to process the Columbine application.
The rules for the Columbine Parks Pass Program, including qualifying documentation, are set by Colorado Revised Statute 33-12-103.5 and Colorado Parks and Wildlife Regulation Chapter P-07 #701.4.a.
Please allow 15 business days for verification and processing of applications.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) strives to offer recreational and sporting opportunities for children and adults of all ability levels.
Honoring Our Military
Active duty, veterans or National Guard members are admitted free into state parks for the month of August if they have the August military pass.
Applicable forms of military identification include:
Specialty Passes
Valid for 12 months from the issue date.
Under the Veteran’s License and Pass Program, Colorado Parks and Wildlife offers a free Independence State Parks Pass. The Independence Pass provides unlimited access to all Colorado state parks for Colorado resident veterans with service-connected disabilities and for Purple Heart Award recipients.
The pass can transfer between vehicles, allowing the Independence Pass holder and others in the same vehicle to enter the park. The Independence Pass holder must be present for the pass to be valid.
Independence Park Pass holders 64 years of age or older will receive a $3 camping discount per night Sunday through Thursday. This discount does not apply on Fridays, weekends and holidays or for cabins or yurts.
You must have a current, valid Independence Pass at the time of your reservation and at the time of your stay and be the primary occupant of your campsite. At the time of your stay, pass holders must provide photo identification with proof of age along with your Independence Pass to receive the discount.
To qualify for the Independence Pass, you must be a Colorado resident and provide a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs stating that you were discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable and are receiving compensation from the VA for one of the following:
Purple Heart recipients also qualify for the Independence Pass. Purple Heart recipients must provide a Purple Heart Certificate or DD214 showing a Purple Heart Award. The Purple Heart Medal itself is not proof of the award. A National Park Service disability pass cannot be used for documentation because the criteria for disability programs vary across different agencies and organizations.
To apply, please complete the Veteran's License and Pass Application (PDF). Applications are also available at Colorado Parks and Wildlife offices and state parks upon request.
You only need to apply for the pass once. Once you are approved, you will be able to obtain your pass each year online, in person at any CPW location or by phone at 1-800-244-5613, as long as you remain a resident of Colorado.
On the application, CID refers to your account number with Colorado Parks and Wildlife. If you have ever purchased licenses or passes, or made camping reservations in the past, you will have a CID. If you do not know this number, or do not have an account with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, you can leave this box blank, and it will be filled in for you. Please complete the application fully and legibly and include all of the appropriate documentation. Failure to do so will delay processing of your application and may result in your application being denied.
Submit by Email
For fastest processing, email your completed application and supporting documentation to [email protected].
Submit by Mail
Mail your completed Independence Pass application to:
Colorado Parks & Wildlife
Attn: Independence Pass
6060 Broadway
Denver, CO 80216
Submit In Person
Veteran license and pass applications can be processed in person at the CPW Headquarters office only:
6060 Broadway
Denver, CO 80216
Other CPW offices are not able to process the Independence Pass application.
The rules for the Independence Parks Pass Program, including qualifying documentation, are set by Colorado Revised Statute 33-12-106.
Please allow 15 business days for verification and processing of applications.
Colorado residents with current Colorado Disabled Veterans or Purple Heart license plates may access Colorado State Parks free without a pass on the windshield. The veteran must be present in the vehicle.
Camping Discounts
The Disabled Veterans and Purple Heart license plates do not provide camping discounts. If you are 64 years of age or older and a Colorado resident, apply for the free Independence Pass for special camping discounts.
Colorado Disabled Veterans or Purple Heart license plates are obtained through the DMV.
Learn More About Military License PlatesSpecialty Passes
Valid for 12 months from the issue date.
The Centennial Pass is for income-eligible Colorado residents. With this pass, the Centennial Pass holder and vehicle occupants may enter Colorado’s state parks in any vehicle they choose. The Centennial Pass holder must be present in the vehicle for the pass to be valid.
Centennial Park Pass holders 64 years of age or older will receive a $3 camping discount per night Sunday through Thursday. This discount does not apply on Fridays, weekends and holidays or for cabins or yurts.
You must have a current, valid Centennial Pass at the time of your reservation and at the time of your stay and be the primary occupant of your campsite. At the time of your stay, pass holders must provide photo identification with proof of age along with your Centennial Pass to receive the discount.
The Centennial Pass is available to Colorado residents age 18 or older with limited income. To purchase a Centennial Pass, you will need to show a Colorado drivers license or Colorado identification card and provide income documentation, in the form of one of the following:
Do you not meet these qualifications? Learn more about the Keep Colorado Wild Pass for a $29 state parks pass available with your vehicle registration.
2026 Department of Health and Human Services Poverty Guidelines
Number of household members: 1 means just yourself, 2 means yourself and another person, etc.
Number of household members / Income (Line 15 on tax forms)
1 - $15,960
2 - $21,640
3 - $27,320
4 - $33,000
5 - $38,680
6 - $44,360
7 - $50,040
8 - $55,720
For households with more than 8 persons, add $5,680 for each additional person.
How to Apply
Please see the Centennial Program Application (PDF) for complete details and requirements. Solicitud del Programa Centennial (PDF) también está disponible en español.
To enroll in the Centennial Program, you must provide proof of Colorado residency and one of the following:
Submit by Mail
The Centennial Program application may be mailed to:
Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Attn: Centennial Program
6060 Broadway
Denver, CO 80216
Please allow 15 business days for verification and processing of applications.
Family activity backpacks may be checked-out at the park visitor centers and participating libraries for free.
Specialty Passes
Valid for 12 months from the issue date.
Under the First Responder Lifetime Program, Colorado Parks and Wildlife is proud to offer a free annual Blue Spruce Parks Pass for qualifying first responders with a permanent occupational disability.
The Blue Spruce Parks Pass can transfer between vehicles, allowing the pass holder and others in the same vehicle to enter the park. The Blue Spruce Pass holder must be present for the pass to be valid.
Blue Spruce Parks Pass holders 64 years of age or older will receive a $3 camping discount per night Sunday through Thursday. This discount does not apply on Fridays, weekends and holidays or for cabins or yurts.
You must have a current, valid Blue Spruce Parks Pass at the time of your reservation and at the time of your stay and be the primary occupant of your campsite. At the time of your stay, pass holders must provide photo identification with proof of age along with your Blue Spruce Parks Pass to receive the discount.
To obtain the pass, you must be a Colorado resident. Applicants need to provide proof of a permanent occupational disability or disease by one of the following means:
To apply, please complete the First Responder Lifetime Program Application (PDF) and include proof of your qualifying disability.
You only need to apply for the pass once. Once you are approved, you will be able to obtain your pass each year online, in person at any CPW location or by phone at 1-800-244-5613, as long as you remain a resident of Colorado.
Without proper documentation, we will be unable to process your application. Please be sure to fill out the application completely and legibly. Any missing information will delay application processing or may result in your application being denied.
In the application, CID refers to your account number with Colorado Parks and Wildlife. You will have a if you have ever purchased licenses or passes, or made camping reservations in the past. If you do not know this number, or do not have an account with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, you can leave this box blank, and it will be filled in for you.
Submit by Email
For fastest processing, email your completed application and supporting documentation to [email protected].
Submit by Mail
Mail your completed First Responder Application to:
Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Attn: First Responder Program
6060 Broadway
Denver, CO 80216
The rules for the First Responder Resident Lifetime Program, including qualifying documentation and eligible first responder personnel, are set by Colorado Revised Statute 33-4-104.5 and Colorado Parks and Wildlife Regulation Chapter W-0, Article II, #002.Q.3 and Chapter P-07 #701.3.
Please allow 15 business days for verification and processing of applications.
Specialty Passes
Free State Park Access: No Cost
Enrolled members of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe can enter state parks managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife without paying an entrance fee when they present a current tribal identification card with an intact photo.
Find more information on the State Parks Information page.
For questions, please call the statewide Communication Center at 303-297-1192 or find contact and more information for the the individual park you are interested in by using the State Park Finder.
SPECIALTY PASSES
Since these passes are linked to an individual, not a vehicle, they may be moved from car to car as long as the passholder is present. The passholder must be present for the pass to be valid.
Holders of passes that can be transferred between vehicles will be provided a reusable hang tag to display their pass. The pass can be secured in the hang tag by tucking the pass corners into the corner slits of the tag. For increased stability, you may tape the pass to the hang tag.
If you receive your pass without a hang tag, the hang tag can be picked up free of charge at Colorado Parks and Wildlife offices or state park offices.
