News Release

Great Sand Dunes is Offering Business Opportunities for the Sale of Firewood and Other Services within the Park Unit

Date: December 6, 2021
Contact: Dale Culver, 719-378-6321

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve has announced business opportunities for firewood sales, and incidental visitor services within the Park. Incidental visitor services include the sale of sunscreen, insect repellent, limited camping supplies and vended beverages.

This operation is seasonal in nature with the season beginning mid-May and ending mid-October. The services are to be provided for a minimum of three hours, five evenings a week. The hours of operation may be extended but the schedule of operation must be consistent with the hours that the operator is required to display to the public. The schedule must include Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday evenings. The stocking and sale of beverages in the vending machines located in designated areas on a consistent basis is desired year-round.

A Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) is required to provide these services at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. The fee for a CUA is $200. A small building located near the campground may be assigned to the CUA holder. The CUA holder will be charged a building use fee of $100. The holder of the CUA must also provide the Park with proof of commercial general insurance.

For the sale of vended beverages, the annual gross receipts over the past three years averaged over $9,000. For the sale of firewood and incidental visitor items, the annual gross receipts over the past three years averaged over $40,000. Based on attention to operational management, the potential may exist for an increase of future revenue. 

The National Park Service intends to issue up to one CUA for vended beverage service and up to one CUA for the sale of firewood and limited camping supplies. The completed applications must be returned to the Park no later than 4 p.m. on February 17^th, 2022. For more information including proposal package requirements, contact Dale Culver via phone: [phone] or e-mail: [e-mail], or mail proposal package to: Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, 11500 Highway 150, Mosca, CO 81146-9798. Additional CUA information including approved business opportunities within Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve can be found on the Park’s website:
https://www.nps.gov/grsa/getinvolved/do-business-with-us.htm