Commercial Use Authorizations

CUA Forms

• 2022-2023 CUA Application Form
• Guide List (Employee Spreadsheet)
• Sample Acknowledgement of Risk Form
• End of Year Use Report

Commercial Use Authorizations (CUAs) authorize companies or individuals to conduct business in Rocky Mountain National Park on an annual basis. A CUA provides a group a non-exclusive license to offer services to park visitors.

Your organization is considered a business if it provides goods, services, activities, or other things to the public using National Park Service lands. If you receive any form of compensation for the things you provide, you are conducting a business or commercial activity. The National Park Service definition of a business or commercial organization does not distinguish between commercial and non-profit organizations.

CUA activities must be appropriate to the mission of the park; compliment resource protection, visitor protection, and interpretation goals; and not pose any potential for derogation of values or purposes for which the park was established. They must be consistent with the park's future plans as well as present operations. They should be compatible with the planning documents for the park. The park will not normally limit the number of organizations that offer similar services or activities.

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.

 

Some activities are authorized under Concessions Contracts, which are exclusive multi-year authorizations to provide goods and services. Horseback rides, wood sales, merchandise operations, and climbing trips and classes are operated under Concessions Contracts. To obtain more information about these services, send an email or call the Concessions Office at 970 586-1209. Do not use the CUA application to apply for these services.

Currently, the following activities are permitted under the CUA program:

• Art/Photography workshops: Instructing individuals in painting or photography of wildlife or landscapes
• Guided fly fishing: Guiding or Instructing clients on how to fly fish
• Frontcountry bicycle tours: Guiding clients on bicycle rides in the park
• Guided backpacking tours: Guiding clients to established backcountry sites. Can include off-trail day hikes with additional requirements.
• Guided hiking tours: Guiding clients on established trails in the park. Can include off-trail day hikes with additional requirements.
• Interpreted/Interactive Vehicle Tours: Primarily a vehicle tour with limited guided activity (for example, short guided interpretative walks to overlooks or frontcountry lakes or photo tours). Generally, the maximum vehicle carrying capacity is 15 passengers. Park passes are allowed.
• Limited Trip Guided Climbing: Guiding clients on rock or ice where the use of technical equipment is necessary (ex. ropes, ice axes, rock protection, crampons, etc.). Limited to 3 trips not to exceed 9 days.
• Llama packing services
• Portrait photography sessions: Single session (permit available online)
• Portrait photography sessions: Annual permit
• Winter activities: Snowshoe and ski tours
• Wedding Coordinating Services** (Wedding Planner)
  **in addition to the $350 permit fee, there is a $75 per event booking fee

The fee is $350 per year for each guided activity. Click here to dowload a printable CUA application.

Rocky Mountain National Park requires the following information in order to complete a CUA application:

1. A completed application.Click here to download a printable CUA application form.
2. The $350 CUA fee per guided activity.
   • To pay by check or credit card:
     1. Go to Pay.gov.
     2. Using the search box, search for "Rocky."
     3. Choose the Commercial Use Authorization form from the list of all Rocky-related forms.
     4. CUAID #ROMO5322.
     5. Fill in required fields on form with the company information and hit submit.
     6. Fill in credit card information or ACH for checking account payments.
     7. If you have any questions, please feel free to call 970 586-1209.
3. Proof of adequate general liability insurance and automobile insurance. Rocky Mountain National Park needs to be listed on the General Liability Insurance as an additional insurer on the face of the policy. To make sure the park receives a copy, it needs to read as follows:

   United States Government
   Department of the Interior
   National Park Service
   Rocky Mountain National Park
   1000 Hwy 36
   Estes Park, CO 80517

4. We require the following coverage:

   Approved Activity	Permit Fee	Commercial Business Liability Insurance Min. (see insurance sheet below)	Certifications	Leave No Trace Training	Special Requirements
   Interpretative/Interactive Vehicle Tours	$350	$500,000 per occurrence / $1M aggregate	Required: First Aid & CPR	Online Awareness Course	Passes are allowed
   Frontcountry Bicycle Tours	$350	$500,000 per occurrence / $1M aggregate	Required: First Aid & CPR	Online Awareness Course
   Art/Photo Workshops-Tours	$350	$500,000 per occurrence / $1M aggregate	Recommended First Aid & CPR. Required if 0.5 miles or more from roadside/trailhead.	Online Awareness Course
   Portrait Photography	$350	$500,000 per occurrence / $1M aggregate	Recommended: First Aid & CPR. Required if 0.5 miles or more from roadside/trailhead.	Online Awareness Course
   Wedding Services	$350	$500,000 per occurrence / $1M aggregate	Recommended: First Aid & CPR. Required if 0.5 miles or more from roadside/trailhead.	Online Awareness Course	$75 per event booking fee
   Winter Activities	$350	$500,000 per occurrence / $1M aggregate	Required: First Aid & CPR	Online Awareness Course	Teaching Avalanche Classes: Schedule on Google Calendar
   Llama Packing Services	$350	$500,000 per occurrence / $1M aggregate	Required: First Aid & CPR	Online Awareness Course
   Guided Hiking (on trail)	$350	$500,000 per occurrence / $1M aggregate	Required: First Aid & CPR	Online Awareness Course
   Guided Backpacking	$350	$500,000 per occurrence / $1M aggregate	Required: First Aid & CPR	Online Awareness Course
   Guided Fly Fishing	$350	$500,000 per occurrence / $1M aggregate	Required: First Aid & CPR	Online Awareness Course
   Off-Trail Backcountry Travel (additional requirements)	No Fee. See Req.	$500,000 per occurrence / $1M aggregate	Min. of 1 guide per trip recommended WFR or higher. All others minimum of First Aid & CPR	Online Awareness Course	Day Hiking off-trail to destinations. Max. group size is 12.
   Climbing Guide Certification Program	$350	$1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate	1 guide per trip required WFR or higher. All others First Aid & CPR.	Online Awareness Course	For certification courses only
   Limited Trip Climbing / Mountaineering	$350	$1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate	1 guide per trip required WFR or higher. All others First Aid & CPR.	Online Awareness Course	Up to 3 trips not to exceed 9 calendar days total (can be non-consecutive). Book trips a min. of 24 hours in advance on Google Calendar.

5. Automobile Liability Insurance

   If a CUA holder transports passengers or uses a vehicle in the performance of the service in the park, they are required to have automobile liability insurance. The auto liability insurance must include coverage of "owned, leased, rented or hired" vehicles if the CUA holder rents or leases vehicles. Minimum auto liability insurance:

   Vehicle Insurance (bodily injury and property damage)	Minimum per Occurrence Liability Limits*
   Up to 6 passengers	$1,000,000
   7–15 passengers	$1,500,000
   16–25 passengers	$3,000,000
   26+ passengers	$5,000,000

   * Indicated minimum per occurrence liability limit or minimum State liability requirement in State or operation, whichever is greater.

   Commercial auto insurance provides:

   1. Liability insurance, which includes coverage for bodily injury, property damage, uninsured motorists, and underinsured motorists;
   2. Physical damage insurance, which includes collision insurance; and
   3. Other coverage, which includes medical payments, towing and labor, rental reimbursement, and auto loan coverage.

   Taxis that do not provide tour serves are only required to have Auto Liability insurance. The Commercial General Liability covers out of vehicle activities, and taxis do not provide of out vehicle activities.

6. A completed Guide Pass and Guide List with certifications. Download a printable Guide List and Pass Form.
   • It is required that at least one guide on each trip is certified in First Aid and CPR. Some activities do require a WFR or higher for at least one guide that on the trip.
   • This list may be updated as needed throughout the season. Due before operating in the park. *** You can always request more passes throughout the year as needed.
   • All clients must pay an entrance fee or show proof of current Entrance Pass, Rocky Mountain National Park Annual Pass, Interagency Pass, Golden Age/IA-Senior Pass, or Golden Access/IA-Access Pass.
7. A copy of your brochure and/or rates as soon as you have it or a web address that has information such as rates and trip dates.
8. An itinerary of the areas of the park you are planning on using for guided activities.
9. A copy of the "Acknowledgment of Risk" that you have your clients, guests, and campers sign before participating in the guided activity. If you require such a form to be signed by your clients, it must follow this format. An example that the park service has approved for use for in-park operations has been included.

All paperwork must be completed and returned to the Concession Office no later than 60 days prior to operating in the park to make sure all parties have the appropriate paperwork on file.

Send paperwork to [e-mail] and include the subject line, 2023 CUA Paperwork.

All required documents must be received, reviewed, and the permit signed by the Superintendent prior to operating in the park. Once executed, a signed original permit will be returned to you.