Colorado Funds Rocky Mountain Park Centers During Shutdown

Colorado will fund operations at two Rocky Mountain National Park visitor centers — Beaver Meadows (east) and Kawuneeche (west) — during the federal government shutdown, beginning Oct. 24. The Department of Natural Resources and the Colorado Tourism Office will split the $3,200-per-day cost, covering Oct. 24–31 initially with the option to extend and to refund any unspent funds if the shutdown ends early. Gov. Jared Polis said the action protects visitor safety and supports local communities; the move follows a 2023 executive order directing state planning for park operations during shutdowns. Officials cited more than 4.1 million recent visits to Rocky Mountain National Park and about $888 million in 2023 economic impact, as well as tourism’s $28.5 billion contribution to Colorado’s economy, as reasons to safeguard services, and said Colorado joins other states, including Utah and Tennessee, that have taken similar steps.