Concessionaire Opportunities
The Rio Grande National Forest is soliciting proposals from interested parties for a campground concession special use permit (SUP), to provide high-quality public services in the operation and maintenance of government-owned recreation facilities. The new SUP will replace the current concession permits which expire December 31, 2022.
A single permit will be issued for government-owned recreation facilities located on the Conejos Peak and Divide Ranger Districts of the Rio Grande National Forest. The Forest will likely complete the application evaluation and make a selection in mid to late Fall of 2022, with the intention of the successful applicant beginning operations on January 1, 2023.
Recreation Sites
The prospectus offers 27 developed recreation sites for concession operations.
Conejos Peak Ranger District Campgrounds
Aspen Glade, Conejos, Elk Creek, Lake Fork, Mix Lake, Mogote, Mogote Juniper Group Campground, Mogote Pinon Group Campground, Spectacle Lake, and Trujillo Meadows.
Divide Ranger District - East Side Campgrounds
Big Meadows Campground and Group Campground, Cross Creek, Highway Springs, Lower Beaver Creek, Park Creek, Tucker Ponds, and Upper Beaver Creek.
Divide Ranger District - West Side Campgrounds
Bristol Head, Marshall Park, North Clear Creek, Palisade, River Hill, Silver Thread, and Thirty Mile
Optional Campgrounds - Divide RD (west side)
Site Visit Trip
The Rio Grande National Forest will be providing a site visit of the facilities the week of Jun 13, 2022. Details and itinerary: PDF or Word
Submitting Your Application
All questions and applications will be submitted through sam.gov
Follow this link to Rio Grande National Forest specific page.
Prospective applicants can find details about the application process by navigating to this link. All prospective applicants should read the documents carefully. The application will be submitted to:
Rio Grande National Forest, Supervisor’s Office
Attn: Carlos Gonzales, Recreation Program Manager
1803 W. Hwy 160
Monte Vista, CO 81144
Applications submitted in response to this prospectus are subject to cost recovery pursuant to 36 CFR 251.58 (c)(l)(ii) and (c)(3)(iii). Applicants must submit the $200 processing fee, required by the prospectus, to cover the costs of the application package review. Payments due to the United States for this application must be paid in the form of bank draft, money order, or cashier’s check payable to the USDA-Forest Service. Separate payment ($250) for the business plan review should be made out to Wyoming SBD Network and be in the form of cashier’s check. Payments must be enclosed in the application package.
Submission Deadline
All applications must include the information listed under section IV Application. Submit five (5) complete copies of your application package and supporting documents along with a separate business plan. Applications must be in sealed envelopes and signed by an authorizing officer of the organization or individual submitting the application. All applications must be postmarked by July 25, 2022 or received by the close of business (4:30 p.m.) on August 1, 2022.
Thank you for your interest in the Rio Grande National Forest.