Colorado Increases Search and Rescue Fee to Support Growing Rescue Demand
Colorado Parks and Wildlife increased the statewide Backcountry Search and Rescue surcharge from 25 cents to $1.25 on November 13, marking the first fee adjustment in 38 years as rescue missions and operational costs have surged across Northern Colorado and the state.
The fee applies to all wildlife licenses and registrations for boats, snowmobiles and off-highway vehicles. Revenue supports approximately 50 volunteer search-and-rescue organizations statewide, including teams that serve Larimer and Weld counties.
The 25-cent fee was established in 1987 and remained unchanged for nearly four decades. Colorado law permitted only one opportunity to adjust the fee to a new base level before limiting future increases to the Consumer Price Index.
"We're constantly amazed by the dedicated volunteer search-and-rescue professionals across Colorado who are ready to mobilize and help people in a time of need when they become stranded, lost or injured in the backcountry," said Perry Boydstun, CPW BSAR manager. "These types of outdoor rescues often require a specific type of training and gear, so it's really important that our statewide BSAR program accurately provides our local teams with funding for resources they need to complete rescues without jeopardizing their own safety."
Rescue Incidents Increase Across Northern Colorado
Search-and-rescue demand has grown substantially in Larimer County over the past 15 years. Larimer County Search and Rescue logged between 80 and 120 missions annually from 2008 through 2023, according to mission reports from the volunteer organization.
The most common incidents include mountain rescues, lost hikers, injured recreationists, water rescues on the Poudre River and Horsetooth Reservoir, avalanche responses and missing persons around Rocky Mountain National Park and state forest lands.
High-intensity disaster years saw significant mission surges. The 2012 High Park Fire and 2013 flooding events generated dozens of additional rescue and recovery calls during those emergency periods, according to Larimer County emergency management records.
Weld County typically handles fewer backcountry rescues, logging fewer than 10 major search-and-rescue calls most years. The Weld County Sheriff's Office coordinates rescue operations directly, supported by volunteer fire departments and emergency agencies for incidents involving stranded motorists, river flooding and missing persons.
Larimer County recently marked progress on a new Emergency Services facility designed to consolidate search-and-rescue operations and equipment storage.
Funding Distributed Through Reimbursements and Allocations
CPW distributes BSAR funding through two mechanisms: incident reimbursement forms submitted after specific missions and annual county allocation applications.
Counties use BSAR funds to purchase equipment, training, vehicles, small capital improvement projects, mental health services for responders, communications equipment, computer software, maintenance and some fixed costs.
Larimer County Search and Rescue has used BSAR funding over the past decade to upgrade radio systems, replace rescue vehicles, purchase avalanche gear and night vision equipment, reimburse training costs and supply search dog teams, according to the nonprofit organization's records.
Weld County has applied BSAR allocations toward safety gear for rural fire operations, water rescue equipment and mutual aid search-and-rescue costs, according to county budget documents.
The organizations operate entirely with volunteers who provide search-and-rescue services free of charge to individuals lost, injured or stranded in backcountry areas. Teams coordinate through county sheriffs or county governments, while CPW provides statewide support and funding.
Larimer County Search and Rescue maintains 80 to 100 active volunteers who undergo certification in incident command, search techniques, outdoor survival, rescue operations, first aid and specialized skills including dog handling, rope rescue and medical response.
Products Support Outdoor Recreation Safety
CPW sells products incorporating funding for search-and-rescue teams, including the Colorado Outdoor Recreation Search and Rescue Card and the Keep Colorado Wild Pass.
Outdoor enthusiasts from hunting, fishing, boating, hiking, snowmobiling and off-highway vehicle communities all contribute to the Colorado BSAR fund through the surcharge on licenses and registrations.
The fee increase reflects both inflation over 38 years and the rising number of challenging and risky rescues requiring specialized training and equipment.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife operates as an enterprise agency funded primarily through license sales, state parks fees and registration fees. The agency manages 43 state parks and more than 350 wildlife areas covering approximately 900,000 acres, with operations contributing approximately $6 billion annually to Colorado's economy.
More information about the Backcountry Search and Rescue Program is available at cpw.state.co.us.