What is a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA)?
- A Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) is a business permit with the National Park Service that authorizes an individual, group, company, or other for-profit entity to conduct commercial activities and provide specific visitor services within a national park area. The National Park Service will only issue CUAs for commercial activities and visitor services that:
- are determined to be an appropriate use of Pecos National Historical Park (Pecos NHP)
- will have minimal impact on Pecos NHP’s resources and values; and
- are consistent with Pecos NHP’s purpose, management plans, policies, and regulations.
- A CUA is required if you, as an individual, organization, or company, provide any goods, activities, services, agreements, or other function for members, clients, or the public that:
- take place at least in part in Pecos NHP
- use park resources, and
- result in compensation, monetary gain, benefit, or profit.
What services require a CUA at Pecos NHP?
- Pecos NHP only accepts CUA applications for the following commercial activities:
- Road-Based Commercial Tours
- Hiking/Walking Tours
- Art/Photography Instruction (Note: This is just for workshops and instruction. Filming/photography may require a different type of permit; see the Special Use Permits page for more information.)
- If you are unsure whether your desired use of the park requires a commercial use authorization, a special use permit, or no additional authorization, contact us at peco_permits@nps.gov or 505-757-7235 before submitting an application.
How much does a CUA cost?
- Annual Application Fee: For 2025, the nonrefundable application fee for road-based commercial tours at Pecos NHP is $100. The nonrefundable application fee for other types of CUAs at Pecos NHP is $350. This fee is due at application submission.
- If a CUA applicant wishes to conduct multiple types of commercial activities at Pecos NHP in the same year (i.e. submits applications for both hiking/walking tours and art instruction), then the cost will be $250 for each additional application.
- Starting in 2026, the initial application fee will be $350 for all types of commercial uses at Pecos NHP.
- Management Fee: Parks are required to collect a reasonable fee to recover the costs associated with administering and managing the CUA program. Beginning in 2026, Pecos NHP will be phasing in a new fee requirement. CUA holders will be subject to a market price fee calculated by gross receipts earned from park-based operations, in the schedule as follows:
- 1% of gross receipts for 2025 will be charged in 2026.
- 2% of gross receipts for 2026 will be charged in 2027.
- 3% of gross receipts for 2027 will be charged in 2028.
- Application fees will be credited to the CUA holder upon payment of market price fee.
How do I apply for a CUA?
- All applications must be submitted through the CUA Application Portal.
- NPS is excited to announce the development and deployment of the online CUA system. The system is designed to standardize, modernize, and streamline the CUA application and reporting process. The system allows potential CUA applicants and CUA holders to view available CUA opportunities, apply for CUAs, submit required CUA reports, and pay CUA fees.
- Learn more about navigating the portal with this video: "How to Apply for a Commercial Use Authorization Permit"
- Note that an approved CUA is only valid for the relevant calendar year. A new application is required annually, if the holder wishes to continue conducting business in the park.
How long does it take to get a CUA?
Pecos NHP requires 30 days to process a CUA application. Applications are reviewed in the order they are received.
What are the reporting requirements?
- CUA holders must submit an annual report via the online CUA system each year by January 31 for the operations that occurred during the preceding year. This report provides the park with visitation statistics, reportable injury data, and a record of annual gross receipts.
- Failure to submit the required reports or misrepresentation of statistics or earnings may result in the inability to submit subsequent CUA applications via the online CUA system or the suspension of active CUAs.
Contact Information
For more information about CUAs at Pecos NHP, please call 505-757-7235 or email peco_permits@nps.gov. For more information about CUAs in the National Park Service in general, visit the Commercial Use Authorization webpage.
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