BLM establishes new recreation fees for the Uncompahgre Field Office
MONTROSE, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) intends to charge new recreation amenity fees within the Uncompahgre Field Office (UFO) in Delta, Gunnison, Mesa, Montrose, Ouray, and San Miguel counties, Colorado.
Beginning May 21, 2025, the BLM will assess an expanded amenity fee of $12 per campsite per night at five existing campgrounds (Lower Beaver, Caddis Flats, Fall Creek, Ledges Cottonwood, and Ledges Rockhouse) and three proposed campgrounds (Electric Hills Rim, Nucla, and Paradox). A standard amenity fee of $4 per vehicle per day at eight day use areas was also approved in the plan, but will not be implemented immediately. The BLM plans to offer a site-specific Standard Amenity Pass/Annual Day-Use Pass of $20 per year for all day use sites when day use fees are implemented.
“Collecting fees will provide a way for the people who use and enjoy these amenities to help cover the cost of maintenance and improvements, protect natural resources, and improve visitor safety and services,” said Uncompahgre Field Manager Dan Ben-Horin. “This in turn enables the BLM to continue providing high quality recreation experiences on public lands.”
A Notice of Intent to Establish Recreation Fees in the Uncompahgre Field Office, Colorado published in the Federal Register yesterday. The draft business plan was released for public comment from August 12 through September 16 and updated to reflect substantive input where appropriate. At their meeting on November 14, the Southwest Resource Advisory Council approved a motion to support the current version of the business plan, with camping fees implemented as stated and day use fees approved but their implementation tabled pending further discussion.
Fees collected would be used specifically to manage recreation in the Uncompahgre Field Office. To stay current with rising management and maintenance costs, the BLM will use the Western U.S. Consumer Price Index to gauge future fee adjustments. Outdoor recreation is a major economic driver in Colorado, and recreation on BLM-managed lands in Colorado generated $1.4 billion in economic contributions in fiscal year 2021 and supported 11,000 jobs.
The business plan is available for review at https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/permits-and-fees/business-plans.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.