For the second year in a row the parks agency and Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) are teaming together to waive fees to Colorado’s state parks on Black Friday.
GOCO is a nonprofit that invests a portion of Colorado Lottery proceeds to help preserve and enhance the state’s parks, trails, wildlife, rivers and open spaces.
Last year, GOCO paid the parks and wildlife agency $9,600 to cover the fees of people who visited the state parks the Friday after Thanksgiving.
This year, GOCO says they will reimburse the agency up to $25,000 in parks fees.
Black Friday is traditionally the start of the Christmas shopping season, but lately some retailers — such as REI — have closed their doors and even their website, and encouraged customers to “#OptOutside” and get outdoors. Subaru and Google will also be following this trend and will not be open on Black Friday as well.
Information about Colorado Parks and Wildlife facilities, activities and events on #FreshAirFriday is here, along with the option to sign up for newsletters and make a pledge to spend November 25th outside. The pledge is not required for free access to the state parks, it’s just a way to spread the word in the hopes that more families get outside.