BLM fees could jump for camping and day use in seven Colorado counties. The Bureau of Land Management says they want to hear from the public about a new Uncompahgre Field Office management plan.
BLM fee hikes from zero to $12
The fee changes would affect campgrounds and other BLM sites in Delta, Gunnison, Mesa, Montrose, Ouray, and San Miguel counties. An agency news release says it wants to “assess an expanded amenity fee” of $12 per campsite per night at five existing campgrounds. These are Lower Beaver, Caddis Flats, Fall Creek, Ledges Cottonwood, and Ledges Rockhouse. Under the present system, no fees are charged for any of these campgrounds.
Under the plan, three proposed campgrounds, Electric Hills Rim, Nucla, and Paradox would see a similar $12 nightly fee. Additionally, a “standard amenity fee” of $4 per vehicle per day at eight day-use sites would come online. The BLM is also pushing a site-specific standard amenity annual day-use pass of $20 per year for all day-use sites.
“Continue to provide high quality recreation experiences”
“We are looking for comments on the draft fee proposal, particularly from those members of the public who regularly camp and recreate in the Uncompahgre Field Office,” said Uncompahgre Field Manager Dan Ben-Horin. “Collecting fees would enable the BLM to continue to provide high quality recreation experiences on these public lands.”
The 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 would implement the fee structure as proposed and then use the Western U.S. Consumer Price Index to gauge future fee adjustments.
Outdoor recreation is a major economic driver in the United States, with recreational opportunities on BLM-managed public lands in Colorado generating about $1.3 billion in fiscal year 2022.
The Uncompahgre Field Office Draft Recreation Business Plan is available for review and comment. Find it on the BLM Recreation Site Business Plans webpage through September 16, 2024. Submit comments by email to: BLM_CO_UFO_Recreation@blm.gov (with UFO Draft Business Plan in the subject line). Or mail to: UFO Draft Business Plan, 2465 S Townsend Ave, Montrose, CO 81401.
RELATED
- BLM says Lake Havasu burros must go
- Is BLM land open? New system lets you know
- BLM wants your help identifying more recreational land
##RVT1170b
Thank you, Russ and Tina! 🙂 $12/night hardly seems unreasonable even if it is dry-camping. Raising fees both covers costs of whatever amenities there are and helps pay employees, but also potentially lessens the “crowding,” if it were occurring at a price of $0/night. Thanks again, have a great day, safe travels, and safe stays! 🙂
The real shame was the $0.00/night fee. I can’t say that $12/night is appropriate and fair but for the rest of us that are charged to use state & federal campgrounds — it’s about time. It looks like the “free ride” is over and it’s time those that use the BLM must “pay to play”.
As is with everyday life someone has to pay for the few that abuse our resources