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New library program offers free visits to state parks

Patrons can check out a park explorer’s backpack
Durango Public Library patrons can check out passes and a backpack to visit any of Colorado’s 42 state parks for free.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Colorado State Library want more people to get out and enjoy the state’s parks.

After a successful pilot program, the new Check Out Colorado State Parks program launched this week at the Durango Public Library.

Community members can check out one of two special backpacks that contain passes, which grant free entry into any of Colorado’s 42 state parks, guides to the parks and various extra materials, said Colleen Galvin, assistant director of the Durango Public Library. “They really wanted to promote getting people into parks, kind of a ‘try before you buy,’ situation.”

The backpacks include binoculars, guides to flowers and wildlife and cards with outdoor activity ideas and Leave No Trace information, Joe Lewandowski, spokesman for Parks and Wildlife in the southwest region, said in an email.

The program provides opportunities for those who do not normally visit state parks to do so free of charge, Lewandowski said. “It’s aimed especially, although there are no restrictions, at low-income residents who cannot afford to pay for a daily or annual pass to a state park.”

Parks and Wildlife hopes it will promote the purchase of annual and daily passes as Coloradans explore their public lands through this program, he said. State parks in the Four Corners include Mancos, Navajo and Lone Mesa.

Durango’s is one of 287 libraries that are involved in the statewide effort to raise awareness of the state’s parks, and any La Plata county resident with a library card can check the backpacks out, Galvin said. The State Library division is part of the Colorado Department of Education.

The Ignacio Community Library, the Mancos Public Library, the Pine River Library in Bayfield and the Dolores Public Library are also participating in the program.

Individuals can use the backpack for seven days before returning it so other library members can make use of it, Lewandowski said. Overdue backpacks and passes are like any other item on the shelf, and late fines can be assessed.

Luke Perkins is a full-time student at Fort Lewis College and an intern at The Durango Herald. Contact him at lukep@durangoherald.com.



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