What is a CUA?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. Approved ActivitiesSome 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. The following activities are permitted under the CUA program:
Attention: Portrait photography will no longer be managed under a Commercial Use Authorization after January 1, 2024. This applies to both Annual Permit and Single Session Permit. Please check back for further guidance. All clients of a CUA operator 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. Application ProcessFor the 2024 operating season, the Commercial Use Authorization application is available from December 1, 2023 - March 31, 2024. Insurance Requirements: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.
Commercial Automobile Liability Insurance is Required:If a CUA holder transports passengers or uses a vehicle in the performance of the service in the park owned/leased/rented vehicles. 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 NPS has not established standard 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.
Rocky Mountain National Park is moving towards an online application process with a defined application window. Further instructions on how the application process will work for 2024 Operating Season will be displayed here soon. Watch an how-to video to prepare here |
Last updated: February 7, 2024