Colorado National Monument Entrance Fees Could Double

Admission costs to the Colorado National Monument may make one of the most drastic price increases in its 105-year history.

According to the Denver Post, the Colorado National Monument is considering doubling the admission cost to the park. In 2011, the fees were increased to $10 per car and $5 per pedestrian. The potential price hike would take admission costs to $20 per vehicle.

Why the proposed increase? According to denverpost.com, the National Park Service is making efforts to fund improvements by increasing entrance fees at 131 of its 401 properties.

Colorado National Monument Current admission charges:

$25 annual pass
$10 week-long vehicle pass
$5 pedestrian
$5 motorcycle

Proposed fee increase:

$40 annual pass
$20 week-long vehicle pass
$10 pedestrian pass
$15 motorcycle pass

How will the additional revenue be used?

According to Colorado National Monument chief ranger Mark Davison, the increased fees will go towards improvements inside the park. Do entrance fees generated by National Parks go towards the national Treasury like some believe? According to Davison, the answer is no.

That is not true. It goes directly into the park. We are really dependent on fee money for projects. This is one of the reasons for doing it. It also just improves the visitor experience. You can say it's for sprucing things up and making it a better experience" - Mark Davison

What improvements are needed? Fee-funded projects include: