A public meeting has been scheduled for Sept. 13 at 6 p.m. at the conference room at First National Bank, 2258 E. Main St., Cortez.
Under the proposal, entrance fees would rise to $20 per vehicle during the summer season, from May to October. Currently, that price is $15. Per-person and motorcycle fees during the high season would increase from $8 to $10, and an annual park pass would rise from $30 to $40.
“We are committed to keeping the park affordable, but we also want to provide visitors with the best possible experience,” Park Superintendent Cliff Spencer said in a press release. “The money from entrance fees is used to improve visitor facilities and amenities. The revised fees will help us offset increased costs for construction and rehabilitation that keep these facilities in good condition.”
Spring, fall and winter fees for private vehicles would increase from $10 to $15. Per-person and motorcycle off-season fees would raise from $5 to $8.
To RSVP for the open house, call 970-529-4682 by Sept. 12. People not able to attend the open house may submit comments to the park at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/MEVE66815. Comments will be accepted at that website through 5 p.m. on Sept. 15.
The proposed fee changes would start Jan. 1, 2017. There will be no changes to commercial or tour fees. Youths age 16 and under are not charged entrance fees, and holders of America the Beautiful, senior, access, military, volunteer and fourth-grade passes are not charged.
Revenue from a fee increase would help with the upcoming rehabilitation of the Morefield Campground Amphitheater, additional stabilization work at archaeological sites throughout the park, maintaining and updating infrastructure, and additional visitor educational opportunities, according to the release.
The popular Spruce Tree House has been closed off to visitors since February because of falling rock. Park public information officer Cristy Brown said fixes to Spruce Tree would definitely be included in the list of projects to be addressed with revenue if fees are increased.
Higher fees in summer support increased programming during the busy tourist season, Brown said. The park hires additional seasonal staff during those months, and the summer fees support wages for those employees, she said.
Some parks, such as Grand Canyon National Park, have raised fees in recent years, Brown said. Other parks have discontinued entrance fees and are relying on grants or other funding methods to supplement park revenue.
After the open house, officials at the national level ultimately will decide on whether or not to increase fees, Brown said.
“This is just a proposal right now to see what people think,” she said.
