Colorado Provides Funding to Keep Rocky Mountain National Park Visitor Centers Open During Federal Shutdown
Colorado will pay $3,200 daily to maintain operations at two Rocky Mountain National Park visitor centers while the federal government remains shut down, state officials announced October 23.
The funding agreement between the Colorado Department of Natural Resources and the Colorado Tourism Office will keep the Beaver Meadows and Kawuneeche Visitor Centers open starting October 24 for an initial seven-day period. Each agency will contribute $1,600 per day to cover staffing and operational costs at both facilities.
The state has the option to extend funding beyond seven days if the shutdown continues. If federal operations resume within the initial period, Colorado will receive refunds for any unexpended funds.
"Rocky Mountain National Park visitor centers are very important to helping all visitors stay informed, stay safe, and enjoy nature," said Governor Jared Polis in the announcement. "By taking this action, we are helping our local communities, and allowing visitors continued access into the park to enjoy the breathtaking vistas and activities Rocky Mountain National Park has to offer."
Economic Impact on Northern Colorado Communities
Rocky Mountain National Park generated $888.66 million in economic output for Colorado in 2023, with visitor spending reaching $568.53 million, according to National Park Service data. The park supported 7,833 jobs statewide that year.
Approximately 70 to 80 percent of the park's economic impact flows to Larimer County communities, particularly Estes Park, which serves as the primary gateway to the park's eastern entrance. The town derives up to 60 percent of its annual sales tax revenue from park-related visitor spending, according to the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade.
The park recorded 4,115,837 visitors in 2023 and 4,154,349 visitors in 2024.
"The tourism industry contributes $28.5 billion to Colorado's economy and supports over 188,000 jobs across the state," said Eve Lieberman, OEDIT Executive Director. "Keeping Rocky Mountain National Park and these visitor centers open promotes a positive visitor experience, helps protect our state's incredible public lands and supports a critical sector of our economy."
Executive Order Enabled State Intervention
Colorado's ability to fund federal park operations during the shutdown stems from Executive Order D 2023 020, which Governor Polis issued September 28, 2023. The order directed the Department of Natural Resources to develop contingency plans for maintaining operations at Colorado's national parks if federal funding ceased.
The executive order specifically instructed DNR to coordinate with Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Office of State Planning and Budgeting to identify funding sources and prioritize services at the state's most-visited parks.
Several other states have provided similar funding during previous federal shutdowns. Arizona covered operational costs at Grand Canyon National Park during the 2013 and 2018-2019 shutdowns, while Utah funded multiple national parks and monuments in 2013.
Visitor Center Operations and Limitations
The $3,200 daily allocation covers full staffing, utilities, basic maintenance and visitor services at both centers, according to National Park Service budget documentation. Beaver Meadows typically operates with six to 10 staff members on standard days, while Kawuneeche employs four to eight workers.
The funding does not cover major repairs, capital improvements, law enforcement, resource management activities or maintenance personnel for trails and outlying infrastructure.
Before state funding, the visitor centers were closed or operated at severely reduced capacity with limited staff and no educational programming.
All national parks in Colorado remain open during the shutdown but with limited or unavailable services at some facilities.
"National Parks are integral to the outdoor activities and beauty Colorado has to offer and the current shutdown has created uncertainty for park staff, visitors, and surrounding communities whose jobs and economies are closely tied to our national parks," said Dan Gibbs, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. "We are hopeful the state's contribution can provide some of the national park experience visitors expect until the Park is able to return to full operations."