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This handbook includes information meant to assist prospective applicants and returning operators in learning more about the Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) permitting process and commercial operation in Rocky Mountain National Park. The permit language and requirements specific to each category of authorization can be found in the category’s conditions and operating plan.
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| Authorization Category on the online portal | Definition |
| Bike Tours - Frontcountry | The commercial activity authorized by this permit is frontcountry bicycle tours during daylight hours on designated roads. Bicycles are permitted in the park on established roadways (except Bear Lake Corridor), parking areas, and designated routes only. They are prohibited on trails and boardwalks. The ratio of qualified guides to participants shall be one (1) guide to no more than eight (8) participants. Total group size on a tour may not exceed eighteen (18). Bicyclists are required to follow all applicable traffic regulations and safety guidelines. |
| Boat Tours - Non-Motorized | The commercial activity authorized by this permit is front-country non-motorized boats: only kayak or pack-rafts tours during daylight hours on Lily Lake and Sprague Lake. The ratio of qualified leaders to participants shall be one (1) leader to no more than five (5) participants. Total group size on a tour may not exceed six (6) per lake. 5. The maximum number of tours/ groups per lake is no more than 2 any one time. These services must provide information about the area and its resources, instill conservation ethics, and increase environmental awareness in participants. |
| Camping - Backcountry | The commercial activity authorized by this permit is guided backpacking. Day hiking that does not involve overnight stays in the backcountry is prohibited under this permit. The approved ratio of qualified guides to participants shall be one (1) guide to six (6) participants. Total group size may not exceed twelve (12). These services must provide information about the area and its resources, instill conservation ethics, and increase environmental awareness in participants. Operators must adhere to all required safety practices. Off trail travel is authorized under this permit with additional permit conditions. Off trail travel is hiking off the established trails. |
| Climbing Certification | The commercial activity authorized by this permit is AMGA or equivalent guide certification and examination for technical climbing and mountaineering. All technical climbing and mountaineering activities must be conducted in a manner respectful of the park's resources while emphasizing visitor safety. Trips are encouraged to be provided during mid-week to avoid peak use on weekends and holidays. Maximum Group Size: 12 Standard Ratios for Groups and Courses (guide to participants) Single Pitch: 1:5
Multi-Pitch Climbing 1:2 Basic Alpine Days 1:3 Advanced Alpine Days: 1:2 |
| Fishing - Spin or Fly | The commercial activity authorized by this permit is instruction in the basic skills of fly fishing. Fly fishing groups are limited to no more than twelve (12) people with a ratio of one (1) guide to five (5) participants. Groups operate using open water in Rocky Mountain National Park. These services must provide information about the area and its resources, instill conservation ethics, and increase environmental awareness in participants. Operators must adhere to all required safety practices and the park’s rules and regulations on fishing. Off trail travel is authorized under this permit with additional permit conditions. Off trail travel is hiking off the established trails. |
| Guided Mountaineering (Limited Trip) | The commercial activities authorized by this permit are guided rock climbing, bouldering, ice climbing, technical mountaineering, ski mountaineering, and technical climbing courses. This permit authorizes up to three (3) trips not to exceed nine (9) calendar days total in the park for duration of the permit. Overnight backcountry use by permit from the Wilderness Office is authorized. A Guide Certification is required, and authorizes the certification for rock climbing, ice climbing, etc. Maximum Group Size: 12 Standard Ratios for Groups and Courses (guide to participants) Single Pitch: 1:5 Multi-Pitch Climbing 1:2 Basic Alpine Days 1:3 Advanced Alpine Days: 1:2 |
| Hiking - Backcountry | The commercial activity authorized by this permit is guided interpretive hiking tours. Hiking is defined as a long, vigorous walk, usually on trails, in the countryside. No overnight backcountry camping is allowed under this permit. Hiking groups are limited to a group size of eighteen (18) participants with a ratio of one (1) guide to nine (9) participants. These services must provide information about the area and its resources, instill conservation ethics, and increase environmental awareness in participants. Operators must adhere to all required safety practices. Off trail travel is authorized under this permit with additional permit conditions. Off trail travel is hiking off the established trails. The maximum group size for off trail travel is twelve (12) people with a ratio of one (1) guide to five (5) participants. |
| Llama Packing Services (Horse/Mule/Other Livestock Rides or Services) |
The commercial activity authorized by this permit is llama packing services. Llamas will only be allowed on trails approved for llama/stock use during months that these trails are open to commercial horse travel. This season is generally from mid-May to mid-October. The maximum group size in the backcountry is sixteen (16) people which includes guides and participants and sixteen (16) llamas. Wilderness campsites (overnight trips) have smaller limits; group size in individual sites is seven (7) persons and eight (8) llamas, in group sites twelve (12) persons and sixteen (16) llamas. All llamas must be fed certified weed-free feed for 48 hours in advance of trip into the park. Grazing is not allowed in the park. |
| Outdoor Skills Education (Basic Avalanche) |
The commercial activities authorized by this permit are Avalanche Level 1 and Avalanche Rescue education courses. Overnight backcountry camping and ski mountaineering is not authorized under this permit. The use of ropes, hardware, protection, snow anchors, crampons, blades, and ice axes are not authorized. Activities that would require the use of such equipment are not authorized. Advanced Avalanche courses which may include but are not limited to Avalanche 2 and Pro courses are not authorized under this permit. Total group size is maximum of twelve (12) people with a ratio of one (1) guide to six (6) clients. More guides per participants are encouraged. |
| Photography Instruction (or Art Workshop) | A Photography or Art Workshop is an instructional opportunity for visitors using an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold as a guided photography or painting/art instructional session. Workshops embrace the scenic, cultural, and natural resources of Rocky Mountain National Park to create an instructional based experience designed to improve a photographer’s or artist’s skills and/or techniques. All groups must have a ratio of qualified leaders to participants sufficient to permit a safe and meaningful experience. This ratio is generally 1-2 leaders to no more than ten (10) participants, depending upon the activity. Total group size should be limited to twelve (12) persons. |
| Retail Sales | The permit holder is permitted the sale of visitor convenience items (VCIs) as a current Cooperating Association Agreement between the Service and the permit holder. VCIs will be sold in the area assigned in conjunction with the Cooperating Association Agreement. |
| Services - RV Camper Drop-Off | The commercial activity authorized by this permit is to tow rental travel trailers from outside of Rocky Mountain National Park and park them in reserved campsites for customers. The supplying and/or selling of firewood, food, or beverages are not authorized under this permit. Clients are required to purchase the campground site reservation. |
| Skiing/Snowshoeing Tours | The commercial activities authorized by this permit are the following winter activities: guided snowshoe tours, guided cross-country ski tours, and/or level one avalanche course or avalanche awareness and education classes. No overnight backcountry camping is allowed under this permit. The use of ropes, hardware, protection, snow anchors, crampons, blades and ice axes are not authorized. Activities that would require the use of such equipment are not authorized. Ski mountaineering and ice skating are not authorized. Total group size is a maximum of twelve (12) people with a ratio of one (1) guide to six (6) participants. More guides per participants are encouraged. |
| Wedding/Event Planner | The commercial activity authorized by this permit is wedding ceremony services: scheduling ceremony sites, wedding photography, and officiating ceremonies. The same conditions apply to this activity as it does for Special Use Permit Wedding Permits. Ceremonies are allowed only in 12 designated sites and with specific site limits (Wedding Locations - RMNP). There is a $75 event fee for each ceremony booked. |
| Wildlife Viewing (Vehicle Tours) |
An Interpretative and Interactive Vehicle Tour is a single vehicle guided tour consisting of one or more persons traveling through the park with a guide. The tour consists of short hikes to overlooks, frontcountry lakes or waterfalls such as Sprague, Lily, Bear Lake, and Chasm Falls and/ or take photos of wildlife and landscapes. These activities take visitors through the park’s road system with a focus on interpreting the parks features and photography wildlife and landscapes. Limited to a 15-passenger vehicle or less. Multi-vehicle caravans or personal vehicles are not allowed. |
What criteria must commercial operations meet to qualify for a CUA?
- The activity authorized must be appropriate to the preservation of the park and be consistent with all park management plans.
- Commercial operators must be based outside of the park. Services must initiate and terminate outside of the park. All aspects of the business (such as advertising, exchange of money, etc.) must take place outside the park boundary.
- Authorization holders may not construct any facilities within the park, including temporary tent/canopy structures.
- The services provided may not conflict with the services provided by concessioners under contract or the National Park Service’s operations.
- Authorization holders must comply with all applicable state, local and National Park Service laws in the conduct of their business. The Superintendent’s Compendium, which details park-level regulations and is subject to change annually.
- A complete application on https://cua.nps.gov, Application Fee, and current insurance, and other required documents must be submitted by close of business March 31st to qualify for consideration.
- All CUA holders must comply with the operating plan and CUA conditions for their authorization category. Holders are responsible for reading and understanding the contents of their CUA operating plan and permit conditions.
- CUA holders have additional reporting requirements, including regularly reported information like Annual Financial Reports (due January 31st), Market Rate Fees (due January 31st) and Monthly (Use) Reports due the 15th of the following month, and other information that must be submitted to the NPS upon request (Guides List and First Aid, CPR etc.)
When and how do I apply for a CUA?
The CUA application period opens November 1st and closes at close of business (COB) March 31st annually. Review the Applicant Checklist at the end of this handbook. Once you have gathered ALL the required documentation, you may submit a complete application through the CUA online system (https://cua.nps.gov).
Incomplete application packages will not be processed until all paperwork is received. The application period applies to all CUA activities.What happens once I apply for a CUA?
- Once the Commercial Services office has received a complete application package and reviewed the application, Commercial Services will notify you of receipt ofapprove the complete application and have the superintendent sign the final permit..
- You will then receive an email with the final approved permit as attachment and permit conditions in the body of the email. Please print all paperwork from the email to have as your approved permit. You are not allowed to operate in Rocky Mountain National Park without a fully executed CUA in hand.
- In addition to a fully executed CUA permit, the company will receive guide passes for each guide operating in the park. The guide passes are to be presented at the entrance station or upon request from a park ranger to show that you are authorized to conduct business in the Rocky Mountain National Park.
- CUA Holders are required to submit Monthly Reports by the 15th of each following month. These reports are required even if there was no activity. You will receive email reminders about these from the CUA Portal at https://cua.nps.gov.
- To continue to operate commercially in Rocky Mountain National Park, CUA Holders are required to ensure compliance with all Rocky Mountain National Park CUA Conditions, activity/category specific conditions, and all laws and park regulations and in additional, document gross receipts through the Annual Financial Report (due January 31st following the operating year) and pay applicable Market Price Fee.
How long does it take to obtain a CUA?
On average, it takes at least 30 days to receive a fully executed CUA and receive guide passes. Applications are processed on first come first serve bases. Processing an application will take longer when the initial submission is incomplete or if preliminary authorization returned for permit holders’ signature is not promptly returned.What is the cost of holding a CUA and how are CUA fees assessed?
CUA permit holders will be charged an application fee for each activity they apply for. The first application is $350 and additional applications are reduced to $250 per application.CUA holders will be charged a reasonable fee to ensure program cost recovery and for the identifiable economic privileges received from conducting business inside Rocky Mountain National Park. Reasonable fees will be based on a percentage of gross receipts (Market Price Fee). Each Application Fee acts as a credit toward the percentage of gross receipts (Market Price Fee), operators grossing less than ~$11,667 will not owe additional fees (3% of $11,667=$350) or additional application fees (3% of ~ $8334= $250) unless other actions of the operator necessitate further cost recovery.
“Gross receipts” means the total amount of all revenues received from services offered within Rocky Mountain National Park (ROMO). The NPS defines park-dependent operations as those commercial activities that are packaged and sold, marketed to include, or coincidentally include, entry into the park boundaries for part of or all of the activities duration.
The CUA holder is responsible for maintaining accounting records that demonstrate evidence of gross receipts and required fee payment. The National Park Service may audit CUA holder financial reports at any time.
When is the Application Fee due?
The Application Fee is due at the time that the application is submitted via the CUA online portal. All applications must be submitted and paid for before the end of the application window (November 1st- March 31st). The CUA Application Fee is non-refundable.When is the Market Price Fee and Annual Financial (Use) Report due? (NEW 2025)
The Market Price Fee is due by January 31st annually (for the prior operating year). The Annual Financial Report (AFR), which determines the Market Price Fee due through the required reporting of gross receipts, is due by January 31st annually (for the prior operating year). The $350 Application Fee is credited towards the Management Fee, which is calculated as follows: Will be implemented starting the 2025 operating season.| Gross Receipt Amount | Percent of Market Price Fee Payment |
| Less than $250,000 | 3% of gross receipts minus the application fee |
| $250,000 - $500,000 | 4% of gross receipts minus the application fee |
| Over $500,000 | 5% of total gross receipts minus the application fee |
How do I pay the Application and Market Price Fees?
All payments are done electronically throught the online CUA portal (https://cua.nps.gov) for each guided activity.What are Monthly Reports and when are they due?
CUA holders are required to submit Monthly Reports by the 15th following each month (even if there was no operation). This information includes the number of visitors served, number of trips, and the average hours (or nights) per trip. These reports are required for each category of CUA held by the operator. Holders submit Monthly Reports using the CUA online portal.
What is the term of a CUA?
A CUA is issued for a one-year term, calendar year. The authority begins January 1st or date of application aand ends December 31st. CUA permit date begins on the date that it is approved.What do Guides provide at the entrance stations? Does ROMO issue Guide Cards?
All guides and group leaders must have a guide card to identify them as a guide for an authorized business. Each guide must show the guide card and their driver’s license at the entrance station. Guides that are on duty are exempt from the entrance fee into the park. The clients are required to have an entrance fee pass in advance or purchase one at the entrance to enter the park. Both guides and clients are not required to have a timed entry reservation (TEPS). The Commercial Services office will provide a TEPS waiver letter to authorized businesses to use for clients during TEPS. These items must be presented at park entrance stations upon each entry, as they will identify the guide as an on-duty employee of an authorized business.
Guide Cards are issued once the “Guide – Employee List Form” has been filled out and submitted to the Commercial Services office. Go to Commercial Use Authorizations - Rocky Mountain National Park to download the form. This is where you will indicate each guides qualifications such as CPR certified, First Aid, and other specific trainings.
What are the applicable park entrance fees for guides and for clients?
Guides and group leaders are not charged entrance fees while on duty. Clients 16 years and older must pay the per person entrance fee up to vehicle rate for that size vehicle. Passes such as the annual pass, senior pass, or access pass also apply. Guides are strictly prohibited from using their personal park pass to gain entry for clients. For more details on entrance fees, check out Fees & Passes.What are the insurance requirements CUA Holders?
Commercial General Liability (CGL) Insurance
Liability insurance is required for all CUA holders under the terms of the authorization. Such insurance should be of sufficient scope to cover all potential risks and in an amount to cover claims that can reasonably be expected in the event of serious injury or death. The minimum commercial general liability insurance is $500,000 per occurrence for all activities except for Guided Mountaineering and Avalanche Courses is $1,000,000 per occurrence. Liability insurance policies must name the United States of America as additional insured. The business or person that is providing the service must be the named insured (policy holder). Companies that provide transportation only are not required to have Commercial General Liability as long as the passengers do not disembark.
Other Required Insurance
Commercial Auto Liability Insurance is required if a CUA holder transports passengers or uses owned/leased/rented vehicles in the performance of the service in the park. If a CUA holder charters the vehicle and those chartered vehicles are owned and operated by another company, the CUA holder is not required to have Commercial Automobile Liability insurance. The minimum Commercial Auto Liability Insurance for interstate passenger transport is:
| Commercial Vehicle Insurance - Passenger Transport (bodily injury and property damage) |
Minimum per Occurrence Liability Limits* |
| 15 or fewer passengers | $1,500,000 |
| 16 or more passengers | $5,000,000 |
The NPS has not established commercial automobile liability minimums for intrastate auto use by CUA holders because each state has unique rules and regulations. Intrastate CUA holders must meet individual state requirements for Commercial Automobile Liability Insurance or the interstate requirements above, whichever are greatest.
If the CUA applicant or holder will use rented or leased vehicles in performance of the authorized service, the applicant or holder must secure appropriate insurance for that rented or leased vehicle in the amount required by the CUA application. Proof of insurance secured directly from the rental or lease company may not be available upon application submission, but applicants are required to provide proof of insurance coverage after application submission upon NPS request.
CUA holders authorized to transport passengers aboard or use in the park an owned/rented/leased vessel may have P&I Vessel Insurance to cover claims for bodily injury, death, and property damage arising from use of the vessel as an alternative to commercial general liability insurance. The minimum P&I Vessel Insurance is $500,000 per occurrence.
Insurance Company Minimum Standards
The NPS has established the following minimum insurance company requirements which all insurance companies must meet. These standards apply to foreign insurance companies as well as domestic companies.
- All insurers for all coverages must be rated no lower than A- by the most recent edition of Best’s Key Rating Guide (Property/Casualty edition), or similar insurance rating companies (Moody’s, Standard and Poor’s, or Fitch), unless otherwise authorized by the Service.
- All insurers for all coverages must have Best’s Financial Size Category of at least VII according to the most recent edition of Best’s Key Rating Guide (Property-Casualty edition), or similar insurance rating companies (Moody’s, Standard and Poor’s, or Fitch), unless otherwise authorized by the Service
- The insurance ratings must be submitted with the CUA Application. The rating companies do not issue certificates. We require the insurance broker to note this rating in the Certificate. If the rating does not appear on the certificate, the insurance broker must provide it in another document.
Proof of Insurance Submission
Applicants must submit proof of insurance with the CUA Application. The proof of insurance must:
- Be written in English with monetary amounts reflected in USD.
- Reflect that insurance coverage is effective at time of CUA Application submission.
- Name as insured the business or person that is providing the service.
- Name the United States as additional insured.
- Reflect a General Commercial Liability Policy with the minimum coverage amount required in the CUA Application.
- Reflect required additional insurances (commercial vehicle, vessel, aircraft, etc.) with the minimum coverage amount required in the CUA Application.
- Include insurance provider rating or provide in separate document.
Example Certificate of Liability Insurance
Contact Us
If you have any questions regarding the CUA application process or requirements, please contact the Commercial Services Office at 970-586-1209 or e-mail us.Last updated: November 8, 2024