Hunters and anglers in Colorado rely on Colorado Parks and Wildlife to maintain habitat and keep the state’s lakes and reservoirs stocked. So paying license fees makes sense. In fact, it’s critical for them to pay their way, because the department is funded without tax dollars.

But the prospect of 50 percent increases in the cost of licenses gives some of those who hunt and fish a different view of the state’s “Hug a hunter/Hug an angler” campaign. Some fear that House Bill 17-1321, which would allow Colorado’s Parks and Wildlife Commission to raise hunting and fishing fees by as much as 50 percent, would be license to pick their pockets during the embrace.

The thought of a 50 percent hike raises the question of whether everyone who takes advantage of Colorado’s great outdoors is carrying their weight. After all, why should those who hunt and fish carry the burden for items such as dam repair, parks infrastructure and law enforcement upgrades when hikers, cyclists, kayakers and other outdoors enthusiasts don’t pay anything?

Read more at The Longmont Times-Call.