News Release

Rocky Mountain National Park Notice of Changes to Commercial Use Authorization Program

Date: February 7, 2024
Contact: Kyle Patterson
Contact: Public Information Office, [phone]

Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) will be implementing changes to the Commercial Use authorization (CUA) program over the next two years.  These changes align park operations with National Park Service policy and support the park’s CUA program.

Commercial Use Authorization is a management tool used by the National Park Service to authorize appropriate business activities within NPS site’s boundaries. Any business or non-profit organization wanting to operate a business or provide a service within the park must obtain a CUA.

Public Law 105-391, Section 418, requires the National Park Service to collect a reasonable fee for CUAs at an amount at least sufficient to recover the costs to the park in administering and managing CUAs. Changes to the fees at the park will create a more equitable fee structure based upon volume of all commercial activity conducted in the park.

Beginning this past December, RMNP implemented the new online CUA portal required by the National Park Service (NPS).  In conjunction with the online system, the park will implement a defined application window for all CUA applicants (current and new).

• The CUA Online Portal started on December 1, 2023, for all current and new applicants to apply for the 2024 operating season. Access to the portal is on https://www.nps.gov/romo/getinvolved/cua.htm

• The defined application window for all CUA applicants (current and new) for 2024 is from December 1, 2023, through March 31, 2024. Applications, payment, and supporting document submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.

• All applications will be required to be submitted through an online system.

Beginning next year, on January 1, 2025, the following change to the fee structure was implemented. RMNP will charge a market price to recover costs associated with the administration and management of the CUA program. Fees will be based on a percentage of revenue earned from in-park or park-based operations. Market price fees will be based on the following:

• Less than $250,000 earned from park-based operations: 3% of gross receipts (minus application fee)
• $250,000-$500,000 earned from park-based operations: 4% of gross receipts (minus application fee)
• More than $500,000 earned from park-based operations: 5% of gross receipts (minus application fee)

All companies interested in applying for a CUA are encouraged to visit the park website at https://www.nps.gov/romo/getinvolved/cua.htm. Additional questions may be directed to e-mail us.. For more information about Rocky Mountain National Park, please visit www.nps.gov/romo or call the park’s Information Office at [phone].