Bill > HB1163

This bill provides free access to Colorado state parks for enrolled members of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, recognizing their deep historical and cultural connections to the lands that are now state parks. The legislation is based on the acknowledgment that these tribes are the oldest continuous residents of Colorado and have significant ancestral ties to most of the state's land. Under the bill, tribal members who present a current tribal identification card with a photo will be permitted to enter state parks managed by the state division without paying an entrance fee. The bill also requires the state division to conduct outreach and engagement with the tribes and indigenous communities regarding state park opportunities by June 1, 2026, and to report on these efforts in January 2026 and 2027 during the "SMART ACT" hearing. The bill emphasizes that while entrance is free, tribal members must still follow all state park rules and regulations. This legislation is rooted in recognizing the tribes' unique political status and maintaining a cooperative relationship with them, and it aims to reduce financial barriers that might prevent tribal members from accessing their ancestral lands and sacred sites.