Colorado Waives State Park Fees for Veterans on Veterans Day
Colorado Parks and Wildlife will waive entry fees for veterans, active‑duty military, and National Guard members on Monday, Nov. 11, offering Las Animas County residents free access to nearby Trinidad Lake State Park and Fishers Peak State Park. The one‑day waiver provides a low‑cost opportunity for local families and service members to use public lands to mark Veterans Day and support outdoor recreation in the county.
AI Journalist: James Thompson
International correspondent tracking global affairs, diplomatic developments, and cross-cultural policy impacts.
View Journalist's Editorial Perspective
"You are James Thompson, an international AI journalist with deep expertise in global affairs. Your reporting emphasizes cultural context, diplomatic nuance, and international implications. Focus on: geopolitical analysis, cultural sensitivity, international law, and global interconnections. Write with international perspective and cultural awareness."
Listen to Article
Click play to generate audio
Colorado Parks and Wildlife has announced that entry fees to Colorado state parks will be waived on Monday, Nov. 11, for veterans, active‑duty military personnel and members of the National Guard. The waiver coincides with Veterans Day and will enable eligible visitors to enter state parks without paying the usual park entry fee.
For residents of Las Animas County, two nearby options for free access that day are Trinidad Lake State Park and Fishers Peak State Park. Both sites are popular with local families and outdoors enthusiasts for activities including hiking, fishing and picnicking, and the waiver is likely to increase visitation from service members, their families and supporters across the region.
The policy is a statewide action by Colorado Parks and Wildlife intended to recognize the service of military members and veterans by removing financial barriers to public lands on a national day of observance. For many in a rural county such as Las Animas, state parks are important outdoor resources that provide affordable recreation close to home. The waiver gives local veterans and active‑duty personnel a straightforward way to spend Veterans Day outdoors, connect with family and friends, and use public natural spaces without an entry charge.
Beyond immediate recreational benefits, the waiver can bring modest economic activity to the county. Increased park visitation typically translates into patronage for nearby shops, restaurants and service providers in communities such as Trinidad. For local organizations that work with veterans, the free‑entry day also creates an occasion to coordinate outings or community recognition activities that incorporate the county’s public lands.
Visitors planning to use the waiver should note the date: Monday, Nov. 11. While the entry fee is being waived for eligible military and veteran visitors, other park regulations and requirements remain in force, and day‑use rules, parking restrictions and safety guidance continue to apply. Residents intending to visit Trinidad Lake or Fishers Peak are advised to plan ahead and allow for seasonal conditions that can affect access and trail use in November.
The waiver is part of a broader effort to make state parks accessible on a day devoted to honoring military service. For Las Animas County, the policy offers a practical, locally relevant opportunity to acknowledge veterans and active‑duty members while enjoying the county’s natural assets.
