Colorado has historically managed its wildlife and park system separately; however budget deficits have lead Governor Hickenlooper to propose merging the two departments. According to the Denver Post [2], no layoffs are planned, but overlapping positions would not be rehired after regular attrition due to retirement or resignations.

Mike King, the director of the Department of Natural Resources, said there is a "tremendous amount of overlap" between the missions of the Division of Wildlife and the Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation. "They provide recreational opportunity. They protect our lands, our habitat, our hunting and fishing opportunities," he said. "It should have been done a long time ago."

Presumably, once the divisions are merged, a hunter could buy park passes, OHV/ATV permits, and hunting permits through one system, rather than the patchwork of systems now in place.