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Entry is free Monday to all state parks

CPW commemorates Colorado Day

Colorado Parks and Wildlife marks Colorado Day, the commemoration of Colorado's acceptance into statehood, with free park entrance at all 42 state parks on Monday, Aug. 3.

"Colorado Day is an opportunity for everyone to get outside and experience the diverse natural beauty and recreational activities that our 42 state parks and 350 state wildlife areas have to offer," said Gary Thorson, CPW's information and education assistant director. "This day is also the agency's opportunity to say 'thank you' to all of our residents and visitors who enjoy our state parks and for their continued support." Colorado was recognized as a state on Aug. 1, 1876. The first addition to the Colorado state park system, Cherry Creek State Park, was 56 years later. Now Colorado Day is commemorated on the first Monday in August. "This Colorado Day, celebrate the statehood of Colorado in nature," Thorson said. "Come play all day, watch the sunrise, float a boat, view wildlife, catch fish, ride or hike trails, explore, learn, picnic or climb." Most Coloradans live less than 30 minutes from a state park.

There are three state parks in Southwest Colorado, Navajo Reservoir near Arboles, Lone Mesa north of Dolores and Mancos State Park. A unique feature of Mancos is yurts available to rent for $70 per night. The yurts sleep six people.

Navajo State Park is a major recreational facility in southwest Colorado, drawing more than 300,000 visitors every year. The park offers boating, fishing, trails, wildlife viewing, 138 camp sites, and three cabins. Boats are available for rent at Two Rivers Marina.

Navajo's park facilities opened in 1964, two years after completion of Navajo dam in New Mexico by the federal Bureau of Reclamation. The dam, built on the San Juan River, backed the water up 35 miles into Colorado.

Lone Mesa is currently closed for general public access while CPW develops a management plan for the 11,760-acre park.

The state parks, scattered throughout Colorado, showcase the state's diverse landscapes, including the prairies of the eastern plains at John Martin Reservoir State Park, the alpine beauty of the mountains at Sylvan Lake State Park near Eagle and the unique geological landscapes at Roxborough State Park. Colorado's rivers at James M. Robb-Colorado River State Park near Grand Junction, the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area in Salida and Yampa River State Park near Craig offer serentity and adventure.  More outdoor fun is waiting at reservoirs at Trinidad Lake State Park, North Sterling State Park, Lathrop State Park near Walsenburg and Navajo State Park near Durango and others. See the 2015 Parks Guide, Park Finder and State Wildlife Area Map for more options.

http://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/Pages/parkMap.aspx can help locate a nearby state park.

Park entrance fees are waived on Monday, but activities like fishing and camping will still require a valid license and permit. CPW is an enterprise agency, relying primarily on license sales, state parks fees and registration fees to support its operations, including 42 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. For more news about Colorado Parks and Wildlife go to: http://cpw.state.co.us