Sand Dunes offering business opportunities

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve has announced business opportunities for firewood sales and incidental visitor services within the park. I

Incidental visitor services include the sale of sunscreen, insect repellent, limited camping supplies and vended beverages.

This operation is seasonal in nature with the season beginning mid-May and ending mid-October. The services are to be provided for a minimum of three hours per day, five evenings a week. The hours of operation may be extended, but the schedule of operation must be consistent with the hours that the operator is required to display to the public.

The schedule must include Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday evenings.

The stocking and sale of beverages in the vending machines located in designated areas on a consistent basis is desired year round.

A Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) permit is required to provide these services at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. The fee for a CUA permit is $200. A small building located near the campground may be assigned to the CUA permit holder.

The CUA permit holder will be charged a building use fee of $100 and must provide the Park with proof of commercial general and automobile liability insurance.

For the sale of vended beverages, the annual gross receipts over the past three years averaged more than $9,000. 

For the sale of firewood and incidental visitor items, the annual gross receipts over the past three years averaged more than $40,000.

Based on attention to operational management, the potential may exist for an increase of future revenue. 

The National Park Service intends to issue up to one CUA permit for vended beverage service and up to one CUA permit for the sale of firewood and limited camping supplies. 

The completed applications must be returned to the park no later than 4 p.m. on March 13. For more information including proposal package requirements, contact Dale Culver at 719-378-6321 or via e-mail at [email protected]. Mail the application to: Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, 11500 Highway 150, Mosca, CO 81146-9798.

Additional CUA information including approved business opportunities within Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve can be found on the Park’s website, www.nps.gov/grsa.