PLEASE WRITE A LETTER TO PROTECT FUNDING FOR COLORADO' STATE PARKS: A sample letter is posted below, and is followed by a mailing list of the state Representatives.

Dear Honorable Representative, <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

I am writing on behalf of American Whitewater, a national 501.c.3 non-profit to ask for your help in protecting funding for the Colorado State Parks, and in returning funding to FY 2002 levels or higher. Under the proposed budget cut scenario being considered by the Joint Budget Committee, Colorado State Parks would be forced to close at least 10 parks 2-3 days a week, and completely close at least 10 additional parks.

Over the past two years, the State Parks operating budget funded by <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /> Colorado's General Fund was reduced by 30%. These previous reductions required State Parks to close management offices, lay off full-time and seasonal employees, and forced State Parks to increase user fees. Currently, State Parks receive only .0034% of the State General Fund. In essence, Colorado State Parks receives just over 50 cents in General Fund support per visitor per year. This is a very small amount to pay for a public program that serves 11 million visitors per year, and which is leveraged many times over by the visitors in Colorado's local communities.

Colorado State Parks have a huge economic impact on both the local and statewide levels, providing an estimated $200 million in economic expenditures within communities in a 50-mile radius of the parks. Visitors from all over the nation stay in your communities longer, as a result of being able to access Colorado Sate Parks including prime whitewater rivers like those located within the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area. Boaters travel from around the world to visit the Arkansas River's Brown's Canyon, Numbers Section, and other rivers throughout the state. These visitors spend millions of dollars annually, resulting in a boost to local businesses and in substantial support to the tourism industry around Colorado.

In addition to economic benefits, Colorado State Parks provide a safe, clean and affordable destination for us all. They promote a healthy quality of life through quality facilities, clean campgrounds, scenic landscapes, river access, and trails. They generate pride and bring about community involvement through service and volunteer projects. We cannot let these valuable resources fall by the wayside.

Please support this valuable program.

Sincerely,

Jason D. Robertson

National Policy Director

American Whitewater

Photo link: http://www.americanwhitewater.org/photos/?photoid=6629