LOVELAND, Colo. — Going to a lake is a perfect way to cool off on a hot summer day in Colorado, until you're told you're not allowed to be there because you don't have a hunting or fishing license.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife District Wildlife Manager for Loveland, Clayton Brossart, says they've seen a dramatic increase in people going to state wildlife areas or state trust lands but not actually hunting or fishing.
"This new change is going to reflect a desire to change some of that and also provide a little better management for the conservation management of the properties by adding these non-consumptive users pay a hunting or fishing license to gain access to the properties", says Brossart.
CPW says state wildlife areas and state trust lands are funded by hunting and fishing licenses. Now that all people going to these areas will be required to pay, it will make it easier to maintain the land with more funds.
On Fourth of July weekend, Kristin Andersen says she drove up Mount Evans to go hiking not knowing it’s an area requiring a license.
"And the ranger stopped us and told us that he had to have a fishing license, we said 'we’re not fishing,' he said that’s a new thing you have to have, you can’t go here without a fishing license", says Andersen.
Per parks and wildlife regulations, when people do begin getting fined after an educational period, they can expect to pay $139.50.
This new regulation does not apply to state parks. Entrance fees there will remain the same.