UPDATE: New COVID-19 guidance > for Commercial Use Authorizations:
What is a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA)?A Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) allows an individual, group, company, or other for-profit entity to conduct commercial activities and provide specific visitor services within a national park unit. The National Park Service (NPS) issues CUAs to manage a wide-range of commercial visitor services in addition to road-based tours.Federal law mandates the NPS issue CUAs only for commercial activities and visitor services that: •are determined to be an appropriate use of the park,
•will have minimal impact on park resources and values, and •are consistent with the park purpose, management plans, policies, and regulations. The CUA requirement is in 36 CFR 5.3 – It is illegal to conduct business in a park area without a permit, contract, or other written agreement. Additionally, Public Law 105-391, Section 418, passed in 1998, provides NPS the authority to issue CUAs to allow business operations and requires NPS to collect a reasonable fee for CUA administration and management. A CUA is required if you provide any goods, activities, services, agreements, or other function for members, clients, or the public that: •take place at least in part on lands managed by Mesa Verde National Park,
•use park resources, and •result in compensation, monetary gain, benefit, or profit. CUA holders have their base of operation outside the park. All the commercial aspects of the activity must occur outside of NPS lands. This includes marketing, advertising, use of permanent or temporary structures, and negotiation with customers. Compensation or payment for services (even tipping) may not occur on NPS lands. What Activities are authorized in Mesa Verde National Park?The following activities are authorized in Mesa Verde National Park under a CUA permit:•Road-based Tours
•Guided Hiking Tours •Photography and/or Painting Workshops Commercial businesses wishing to do any of these activities must procure a Mesa Verde CUA in advance and follow the terms and conditions of the authorization. For what length of time is a CUA issued?CUAs are issued for a one-year period.How much does a CUA cost?The application fee for a CUA is $100.00 for each service category. This fee is not refundable.Why does the park charge a fee for a CUA?National Park Service Policy requires the Superintendent to charge a reasonable fee for CUAs. The park retains such fees to help pay for the cost of the CUA program, including administration, evaluations, monitoring and training.Do CUA holders have to pay park entrance fees?•Yes. Road-based commercial tour operators pay the commercial tour entrance fee each time they enter the park based on the park’s length of stay.
•Other types of CUA holders pay the park per person entrance fee for their clients. How do I apply for a CUA?A link to application materials is available below. The document includes the application along with documents identified in Attachments B and C.
How do I submit the application?Once you have all of the required documentation, you can submit either electronically to the concessions management office (see application for email address) or by mail to:Mesa Verde National Park Attention: Concessions Management Office PO Box 8 Mesa Verde National Park, CO 81330 How do I submit the application fee?The application fee may be paid by check or credit card through Pay.Gov. See below for details:•If mailing your check with the application form, please make check payable to the National Park Service. •If paying electronically through Pay.Gov, please contact the park Concessions Office for a permit number. A copy of the Pay.Gov receipt should be included with your application. When are Annual Financial Reports due?Annual Financial Reports, which cover the operating year and require reporting of gross receipts and visitors served for each month of that year, are due on February 28 of each year. You must return this report via email, mail or fax by the due date. Failure to return required reports or misrepresentation of statistics or earnings will result in denial of your next CUA application.How long does it take to obtain a CUA?A minimum of 30 days is required for issuance of a CUA. Delays will occur if application materials are not submitted accurately or completely, or if authorizations needing operator signature are not returned promptly.CUA Office Contact Information Sue Johnson-Erner Concessions Management Office (970) 529-4612 Office (970) 529-4637 Fax |
Last updated: July 14, 2022