Commercial Use Fees and Regulations

Public feedback on draft commercial use fees and regulations closed on June 3rd and was considered by CPW staff as part of the draft regulation development process. Please see the Draft Commercial Use Regulation Changes document provided to the Parks and Wildlife Commission, including a summary of public input shared with CPW staff (page 4).

All public comments on this topic should now be directed to the Parks and Wildlife Commission (PWC). Proposed regulation changes will first be considered at the July 18-19, 2024 PWC meeting. Draft regulation changes are then scheduled to be reviewed by the PWC at the August 22-23 meeting before final regulation changes are considered for approval at the November 14-15 meeting.

CPW is proposing changes to commercial use permitting on CPW properties such as state parks and wildlife areas. Proposed changes to CPW regulations, policies, fees and processes for an individual or group acquiring an activity/event permit will be considered by the Parks and Wildlife Commission later in 2024.

What types of activities are impacted?

Commercial Use at CPW properties may be impacted by the creation of a standardized fee structure, as well as administrative and regulatory changes. Impacted agreements/permits could include Commercial Use and Special Use Agreements for State Wildlife Areas and Special Use and Special Activity Permits at State Parks. Approved changes would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2025 at the earliest.

What changes are being proposed?

CPW is proposing a simplified commercial use permitting structure. The proposed structure would replace the various types of commercial and special use/activity agreements and permits for parks and wildlife properties with Activity Permits and Event Permits. The fees and application forms for acquiring an activity or event permit may change for some users.

Proposed regulations concerning commercial use of CPW properties will be modified for consistency between parks and wildlife properties. The proposed regulation changes also move all current commercial use regulations from various parks and wildlife regulation chapters into a new section of regulations devoted to commercial use permitting.

Why are changes being proposed now?

Current regulations and policies guiding commercial use, and the fee structure used to charge for activities and events, differ between CPW parks and wildlife properties. The proposed changes are intended to provide a consistent and transparent process statewide, and a standardized fee structure, for all commercial use on CPW owned and managed properties. Forms and other materials used by activity and event permittees will also be standardized for simplicity and ease of use.

How can the public learn more?

A recorded informational meeting was held virtually on May 20th. At this meeting, participants were able to ask questions of CPW staff, learn more about the proposed changes and how it may impact their commercial use experience.

How can the public give feedback on the proposed changes?

An input form on the proposed fee and regulation changes was open for three weeks in May and June. The public feedback received was considered by CPW staff as part of the regulation and fee structure development process. All public comments on the proposed changes should now be directed to the Parks and Wildlife Commission.

For other questions, contact dnr_cpw_planning@state.co.us.