They were on the right path a few years back when they required an annual habitat stamp for all users of state lands (I think this was before DOW and Parks merged), but they did away with that requirement and left it as only being required for a hunting or fishing license. It might not have been perfect, but it helped ensure that everyone using the resources had a stake.
The non-hunters complained and that's why it got removed. That was back when it was only $5 too. They keep trying to get the 'non-consumptive users' i.e Hikers, Bird Watchers, etc. to pay for wildlife but they aren't willing to. It's mainly hunters, and truthfully it's non-residents hunters, that pay the bills for wildlife in Colorado.
