Denver committee advances proposal to raise golf fees and fund youth programs

Denver’s Parks, Art and Culture Committee voted 7-0 on Nov. 3 to approve for filing a bill that would raise fees at six city golf courses and direct a youth-golf fee toward opportunities for Denver youth to learn and play. The proposal would raise regular 18-hole rates from $60 to $72 on weekdays and from $67 to $81 on weekends and holidays.

The committee’s approval for filing advances Council Bill 26-1651 but is not final approval by the full City Council.

Denver Golf Director Scott Ratholic told the committee that the city golf operation’s expenses rose from $9.1 million in 2018 to $19.5 million in 2025, and that it has an estimated $83 million backlog of capital improvements. He projected that without the fee increases, Denver Golf would run an operating deficit of about $673,000 in 2027, including depreciation. With the increases, he projected a surplus of about $2.5 million.

Committee members questioned the proposed junior rates, including an increase for an 18-hole round from $35 to $54, and asked how the maximum rates were calculated and how the increases could affect youth access. Ratholic described the listed amounts as maximums and pointed to discounts and youth programs, including an ACE pass and First Tee opportunities. Members also asked staff to clarify whether the ordinance allows prices below the listed maximums and requested more detail on costs, revenues, dynamic pricing and adult and junior round counts.

The draft ordinance covers City Park, Willis Case, Overland, Kennedy, Evergreen and Wellshire courses. It lists these current and proposed rates:

Play type	Current weekday	Proposed weekday	Current weekend/holiday	Proposed weekend/holiday
Regular, 9 holes	$31	$38	$35	$42
Regular, 18 holes	$60	$72	$67	$81
Senior, 9 holes	$24	$29	N/A	N/A
Junior, 9 holes	$18	$23	N/A	N/A
Senior, 18 holes	$40	$51	N/A	N/A
Junior, 18 holes	$35	$54	N/A	N/A

The draft defines weekdays and weekends differently by season, but does not set different dollar rates by season. In peak season, weekdays are Monday through Thursday, excluding holidays, and weekends are Friday through Sunday, including holidays. In the off-season, weekdays are Monday through Friday and weekends are Saturday and Sunday. Senior, junior and annual rates would apply on peak-season Fridays before 11 a.m.

At Harvard Gulch and Kennedy 3-Par courses, adult fees would rise from $21 to $23, junior fees from $12 to $14, and senior fees from $15 to $17. Tournament fees per player would increase from $42 to $48 for weekday 9-hole play, $47 to $52 for weekend 9-hole play, $67 to $82 for weekday 18-hole play, and $82 to $91 for weekend 18-hole play.

Denver Parks and Recreation cited tee-time demand and the need to maintain Denver Golf’s fiscal sustainability in its Oct. 21 ordinance request. The draft does not specify an effective date for the proposed rates.