Overnight trips into the heart and soul of Rocky Mountain National Park is going to cost backcountry travelers a bit more beginning this summer/Kurt Repanshek
It's going to cost you a little bit more to head into the backcountry of Rocky Mountain National Park for overnight stays beginning this summer, when the permit fee climbs from $20 to $26 per trip.
Park officials say the fee, established in 1995 and last increased to $20 in 2004, is necessary to recover the administrative costs associated with managing the program, including costs of a computerized permit and reservation system.
The permits, good for up to seven backpackers, are seen as an integral part of a program that rations and distributes use throughout the park's backcountry. It's intended to minimize impacts to resources, help provide a quality experience, and ensure that sites are available for those able to plan ahead and reserve a permit in advance. While an overnight permit is required for backcountry camping year-round, the fee for obtaining the permit only applies for camping that occurs during the months of May through October when demand typically exceeds availability in many areas of the park's backcountry. The six dollar increase for the non-refundable permit becomes effective March 1, for anyone making advance reservations or after May 1, for those obtaining a permit over the counter at one of the park's Backcountry Offices.
Different from an entrance fee or fee for camping in a developed campground, the backcountry permit is based on cost recovery and all funds are applied directly to the costs of administering the program. This past October, the park proposed a change in its current recreational use fees for entrance and developed campgrounds. A public comment period followed and the proposal is still under review. A decision on those recreational use fees is expected late winter or early spring.
According to Superintendent Vaughn Baker, 'Rocky Mountain National Park retains 100 percent of the administrative fees charged for backcountry camping permits. In addition to providing the opportunity to reserve and secure campsites in advance, funds recovered through the permit fee allow for staff to provide trip planning advice and information for a safe and enjoyable trip into the wilderness. Requirements for food storage necessary to protect bears and other wildlife, mountain weather, hazards, and Leave No Trace ethics are among the information received during the permitting process. Fees that we charge enable us to provide these services.'
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Comments
EC, you raise a good point, it is a contentious debate. This is not the forum to get into the issues of tax reform, but from my viewpoint, I think it is of grave concern that federal reported income shows that at least 50% of citizens do not make enough money to pay federal income tax. This is only my opinion, but yes, I do think it is an issue of the distribution of the nations wealth. Many reasons for this, and it does relate to the increasing fees being charged, it is an interesting discussion.
And why is that? It certainly isn't because of lack of opportunity.
Third try Ron. Why should Joe Smoe pay more in taxes than Joe Blow. You progressives just don't want to answer that question.
Well EC, third strike means I am out. Maybe our trails will cross sometime and we can discuss it further.
"Just think how much more they'll value 'something' if we -- their public agencies -- initiate and increase fees for simple access as a show of our tremendous benevolence. We'll kill them with kindness."
And, by the way, thankfully your dam metaphor doesn't hold . . . errr . . . true. The beavers haven't put the structure in place everywhere -- yet.