Check Out Colorado State Parks

Check Out Colorado State Parks is a library loan program formed through a partnership between Colorado State Library and Colorado Parks & Wildlife. Through it, libraries provide a unique outdoor learning experience for library patrons and expands your library’s services. Borrowers are equipped with a parks pass and a backpack outfitted with a Colorado parks guide, naturalist field guides, activity cards, and other items to enhance their outdoor experience.

About the Program

Historical Overview

Toolkit for Library Staff

General Information

Subscribe to the CheckOutColorado listserv
Program FAQs
Program Survey/ Feedback for Library Partners (exp. June 2023)

Replacement Backpack Contents

Backpack and Pass Replacement Guide (PDF)

Park Visitor/ Borrower Evaluations

Spanish Language Content

Parques Estatales/ State Parks - Full Guide in Spanish (PDF)
- Currently unavailable in print from CPW, can be printed and stapled by library partners or shared digitally
Evaluation Form - English and Spanish double-sided (PDF)
Online Evaluation Form (Spanish)
Commercial featuring CO Parks and Wildlife mascot, Wilder, wearing the library backpack (YouTube) - Available until April 2024
- "Gran Sensación" commerical (Spanish)

Catalog Files

Prospector Record (PDF) - OCLC #922336142
To edit these files for your specific local catalog, we recommend using the open source tool MARCedit. For questions about using MARCedit, please contact Virginia Inness at Inness_V@cde.state.co.us

Digital/ Social Media Promotional Materials

Commercial featuring CO Parks and Wildlife mascot, Wilder, wearing the library backpack (YouTube) - Available until April 2024
- "Blissful" commercial (English)
- "Gran Sensación" commerical (Spanish)
Social media kit (PDF) - sample Facebook posts, tweets and newsletter copy
Backpack logo (PDF) - this logo may only be used to promote the Check Out Colorado State Parks program. Note on printing the logo in black & white or two tone: make sure the ram's chest is dark and the muzzle is white.
Photo of backpack and its contents (JPG)

Media

Pueblo Library District and Colorado Parks and Wildlife Launch Your Pass to Adventure (YouTube, KOAA 5, 2022)
Pueblo Library District Participating in Colorado Parks Pass Program (YouTube, KOAA 5, 2021)

Display Materials

Summer promotional materials:
Winter promotional materials:
State Parks Pass Options to let your patrons know about the types of park passes available for purchase
- Flyer (8x10") (PDF)
- Poster sized (PDF)
Photos of library promotion examples including creative library displays, outreach programs, flyers, and more that Colorado library staff have produced around this program.

Spanish Language Content

Parques Estatales/ State Parks - Full Guide in Spanish (PDF)
- Currently unavailable in print from CPW, can be printed and stapled by library partners or shared digitally
Evaluation Form - English and Spanish double-sided (PDF)
Online Evaluation Form (Spanish)
Commercial featuring CO Parks and Wildlife mascot, Wilder, wearing the library backpack (YouTube) - Available until April 2024
- "Gran Sensación" commerical (Spanish)

GOCO's Generation Wild Campaign

Great Outdoors Colorado created the Generation Wild public awareness campaign to reconnect kids with nature and get them to experience the incredible benefits that are right outside the front door. Because kids grow better outside.

GOCO's 100 Things to Do Before You're 12 list (PDF)
Sample Tweet: Summer library programs are on! Tick off #34: Read a book under a tree from ‘100 things to do before you’re 12' list. https://generationwild.com/
Sample social media post to customize: The summer program at the ___ Library has begun! That gives your kid the chance to tick off No. 34, Read a book under a tree, from a fun list of ‘100 things to do before you’re 12.’ Grab a book and a printed list at the library or visit GenerationWild.com to learn more. #100ThingsToDo
Web/social media graphic to use with above posts (JPG)