New Fees for Williams and Echo Lakes
by Norm Vance | Posted 05/17/06

There is a new fee in the form of a “Habitat Stamp” for all people accessing Williams Reservoir and Echo Lake in the Pagosa Country area. For people with a hunting or fishing license, the stamp is $5.00 extra. For the stamp alone the cost is $10.00. This is not just for hunting and fishing, but for any access to the lakes and the land around them. Each person in a group needs a stamp.

Below is the information from the Colorado Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife website:

"The loss of habitat is the single most significant cause of wildlife population decline in Colorado. Recognizing the need to preserve Colorado's wildlife habitat for future generations, a group of sportsmen and conservationists took its idea of a habitat stamp program to the state legislature, where it was enacted into legislation and signed by Gov. Bill Owens.

"Two versions of the habitat stamp are now available for purchase. The stamp purchased with a license, or for access privileges to state wildlife areas and state trust lands, is sold through the Division's service centers and license agents throughout the state, online or by phone. The commemorative stamp is sold through the Colorado Wildlife Heritage Foundation (CWHF) office in Denver, online, by phone, and through its various partners who are helping sell the stamp to the general public. All of the funds raised from the sale of both stamps will be used to benefit wildlife by acquiring or preserving habitat. Your purchase of a stamp is important for future generations.

"Stamps can be purchased wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold including online through our Total Licensing System or by calling (800)-244-5613. When buying the stamp with a license or for access to state wildlife areas and state trust lands, the blue-colored paper license will list that you have purchased a habitat stamp. Stamps cannot be purchased at state wildlife areas or state trust lands.

"Hunters and anglers will automatically purchase a Habitat Stamp when they purchase a hunting or fishing license. When purchased with a license, the cost is $5, and is required on the first two licenses purchased in a calendar year.

"If you are not purchasing a hunting or fishing license, but wish to visit a state wildlife area or state trust land, the stamp costs $10 per individual. The Division of Wildlife has 241 designated state wildlife areas, covering 493,400 acres and 216 state trust lands totaling 533,733 acres of land statewide. In addition, the Division offers for sale a 350-page book, with 166 color photos and comprehensive description of the areas. To purchase the G, check out Shop@DOW.

"Stamps are not required for youths (18 and under) and seniors (65 and over). Stamps are also not required for the mobility impaired, military hospital patients and Colorado residents who are active duty military personnel stationed outside Colorado, but on leave in Colorado.
Funds from the sale of both stamps will be used to benefit wildlife by preserving habitat. It is estimated the stamp program will raise $2.3 million each year. In adopting the stamp, the legislature expressed a strong desire to prevent habitat loss and fragmentation in Colorado's sagebrush communities where a variety of wildlife currently thrives.
A citizen committee appointed by the governor will review projects and make funding recommendations to the Colorado Wildlife Commission yearly."

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