"I concur with much of James O's response especially to consider the context of the pandemic and the extreme impact on revenues. I have two points. I do think it's a relevant topic because it affects us all directly. The second thing is I would like to see the actual letter or documentation behind the subject at hand because this is at best someone else's interpretation of the issue and facts and at least third hand information from what I've seen. I'm not at all implying that it's invalid but I personally like to base my opinions and actions on what I believe to be a complete set of facts from a known and reliable source.
I spent a little time googling the source information but was unable to find it. Anybody else?"
As posted in the OP it is from COHVCO, specifically from their Facebook page. I did not link to theri FB post as I know many here do not use Facebook.
Based on the responses I have received from two of the JBC members it is true they are looking at taking the money and there is likely nothing we can do about it as the majority is in favor of it.
The recommendations from the JBC will come out tomorrow.
https://www.facebook.com/COHVCO/post...361?__tn__=K-R
Riotcake previously posted:
"I am very interested in this topic, I would like to share my initial thoughts and do some further research. Do you have a link for where this information about the JBC reallocation of OHV funds came from? I am mostly interested in where it is proposed to be put to use. Colorado Parks and Wildlife is the agency which oversees OHV funds for colorado. CPW is a user funded agency, drawing about 90% of its budget from hunting and fishing licenses, OHV and snowmobile registrations, and State Park passes. I am curious if this change is proposing to allow OHV funds to go to the general fund within CPW, or if they are proposing to obsorb it into the overall state budget.
Full disclosure, I work for CPW so some of my points may be biased. Furthermore, I have not seen any internal emails regarding this so I don't have any additional information at this time, just putting my personal thoughts out there for the purpose of sharing information, NOT speaking for the state.
IF the funds are staying within CPW's general fund, I am conflicted on this topic. On one hand, I fully believe in the need for OHV registrations and want to see the money go back to the user group directly. I used to work in the trails program as an intern, the ~400 seasonal employees mentioned above are not directly hired by the state but are funded via grants from CPW using the registrations money. The registrations system really does some great work for our trail systems both motorized and non motorized. On the other hand I am curious if the proposed action is unlocking the money to be used within CPW's general fund. If it is, this means that it will still go towards protecting Colorado's public lands in some form. As I mentioned above, CPW is nearly entirely user funded and has been hit hard just like any other area of business; for example the park I work at is losing roughly $10k per day solely from the Governor's order to keep campgrounds closed. If the proposal shifts money to CPW's general fund, it would go to a plethora of things, all related to outdoor recreation in Colorado. A few off the top would include: State Park operation and maintenance (to include necessary items for visitor safety); seasonal employee wages throughout the agency; big game species management; fish hatchery operations; emergency/rescue operations, and many more.
I guess my overall opinion is that weighing the options as both a trail user and an outdoor recreation enthusiast in other areas, shifting funds from primarily focused on trail maintenance, towards helping protect other public land and wildlife resources during a year of financial hardship doesn't seem like such a terrible thing. But that's only if the funds are staying within CPW. I am not an economist, I can't speak for what is best on using OHV funds outside of the agency to help balance tax based programs elsewhere. However, I would say that as an outdoorsman, I am fundamentally opposed to the funds being reallocated outside of the scope of natural resource protection and preservation."
The JBC will likely be recommending that the law be changed, hopefully temporarily, to allow the reallocation of $5M from the OHV fund to the state's general fund. We will find out tomorrow exactly what their recommendation is.