I have recently learned that the Dept of Natural Resources is going before the Joint Budget Committee to ask that they be allowed to take $2.3 MILLION from the OHV registration fund for the State Parks operating budget--with no notice, no phone calls and no mention of EVER paying it back. UNACCEPTABLE, WRONG, OUTRIGHT THEFT.

This is the equal to 92,000 registrations or 75% of the fund! This is the money OHV users pay that is, by Colorado Statute, to go toward maintenance and construction of trails and areas that allow motorized use. 100% of this money is supposed to go back to the trails. Sometimes this is the only money available for this; and as we know, if trails cannot be maintained, the next option is to close them. The Dept of Natural Resources (DNR) should find another source for the State Parks budgetary troubles. I cannot believe they do not have the courtesy to ask COHVCO, the State Trails Committee or the OHV Subcommittee, or even let us know before trying to raid money they have no right to.

JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE
200 East 14th Avenue, 3rd Floor
LEGISLATIVE SERVICES BUILDING
Denver, CO 80203
Telephone 303-866-2061

www.state.co.us/gov_dir/leg_dir/jbc/jbchome.htm