Colorado Alpine Rescue Team

Why is mountain rescue not a "budget item" for Colorado? Why should those who come and get you if you get lost or hurt in the mountains pay for it themselves or rely on "contributions" from concerned citizens? It seems like not a week gores by that we don't hear about somebody lost in the mountains of Colorado, requiring rescue. So why do the politicians in Denver not make mountain rescue a "budget item" like police or fire protection? It's obviously something that is needed, so why not? Does somebody have to die because they waited to call for help because they thought they'd be charged for rescue? (Alpine Rescue Team,)