New Special Use Authorizations
The Conejos Peak and Saguache Ranger Districts are seeking candidates that are interested in providing recreational experiences to individuals or groups through commercial outfitting and guiding services.
The Rio Grande National Forest is working to provide additional commercial recreational opportunities that, up until now, may have been otherwise restricted, or withdrawn by former commercial providers. The goal is to offer a variety of services that would benefit the public through outfitting and guiding opportunities on the two ranger districts. Please note that the Divide Ranger District is not accepting new proposals at this time.
Organizations such as commercial businesses, nonprofit organizations, community organizations, and educational institutions are invited to submit a proposal for any of the opportunities listed in the Request for Expressions of Interest Flyer.
Please review the information on this page carefully before submitting your Outfitting and Guiding Request Form. This is your proposal. All proposals must be received by June 23, 2025 to be considered for a special use authorization.
Types of Opportunities we will Consider Permitting
Outfitting and guiding on the Conejos Peak Ranger District will consist of the following opportunities. Please note that all activities may be subject to restrictions such as location and certain activities that are already prohibited.
- Avalanche Awareness
- Backpacking
- Cross Country Skiing
- Fishing
- Horseback riding
- Jeep/OHV tours
- Mountaineering
- Photography (Non-Commercial)
- Snowmobiling
- Snowshoeing
Outfitting and guiding on the Saguache Ranger District will consist of the following opportunities. Please note that all activities may be subject to restrictions such as location and certain activities that are already prohibited.
What does that mean?
- Backpacking
- Big Game Hunting
- Day Hiking
- Horse Riding (Day Use)
- Horse Riding (Overnight Use)
- Nature Based Education
Process for Expressions of Interest Proposals
Gather Pertinent Information
Interested applicants should be prepared with information that will be required for your application to be considered. We recommend downloading the form and preparing the information for each section in a separate document.
Complete the Form
Download the fillable Outfitting and Guide Request form and completely fill it out.
Download the Outfitting and Guide Request Form
Submit the Form (application) to the Rio Grande National Forest
- Submit the form electronically to divide_special_uses@usda.gov
- Submit the form by mail using the below address:
Rio Grande National Forest
Attn: Carlos Gonzales
1055 9th Street
Del Norte, CO 81132
Please ensure the forms are submitted by Monday, June 23, 2025.
The Next Step
Proposals that are accepted may be issued a special use authorization to conduct the activity. In the case of numerous requests for one activity or area, we may need to embark on an additional process that will help us determine which entities will be awarded a permit, if at all.
Restrictions and Limitations
While several types of activities are being considered, please keep in mind that not all activities can be conducted in all locations. We must follow all current regulations and consider our resource objectives before permitting any special use.
In general, all activities must comply with our motorized travel regulations and will only be permitted to operate on designated roads and trails as depicted in the Rio Grande National Forest's Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM). The MVUM can be found at the link below:
https://fs.usda.gov/r02/riogrande/maps-guides/motor-vehicle-use-maps
Any activities proposed in Wilderness Areas are also subject to certain regulations. In addition, our forest-wide and regional special orders should be taken into consideration.
See the special orders here: https://fs.usda.gov/r02/riogrande/alerts
Visit the links below for the special orders that apply to our Wilderness Areas and to see each Districts' restrictions on certain activities.
La Garita Wilderness
https://fs.usda.gov/r02/riogrande/alerts/la-garita-wilderness-use-restrictions
Sangre de Cristo Wilderness
https://fs.usda.gov/r02/riogrande/alerts/sangre-de-cristo-wilderness-occupancy-use
Weminuche and South San Juan Wilderness
Jeep/Off Highway Vehicle Tours
- The ranger district may allow use of areas not identified as open on the Conejos Peak Motor Vehicle Use Map.
Backpacking
- The ranger district would prefer that backpacking utilize existing roads and trails.
Uses may go off route but would be limited to restrictions and mitigations.
Big Game Hunting
- There will not be offerings of Mountain Lion Hunts in this RFEI
- The Forest is currently looking for outfitters and guides that are willing to provide services in the Lake Fork of Saguache Creek and the Middle Fork Saguache Creek. Also, in Colorado Parks and Wildlife Game Management Units 68 and 681, excluding Middle Creek.
- There will not be offerings in other areas where there are existing outfitter and guiding services for big game hunting being provided.
- Services will not be allowed in the Baca Mountain Tract Area.
- Motorized travel will be limited to routes authorized on the MVUM.
Backpacking
- This service will not be authorized on trails that are accessed from the North Crestone, South Crestone, Liberty and Willow Creek Trailheads.
- Service could be day trips or multi-day overnight camping trips.
- Multi-day trips could have established camps or dispersed drop camps.
- Services will not be allowed in the Baca Mountain Tract Area.
Horseback Riding (Day Use and Overnight Use)
- This service will not be authorized on trails that are accessed from the North Crestone, South Crestone, Liberty and Willow Creek Trailheads.
- Service could be day trips or multi-day trips.
- Multi-day trips could have established camps or dispersed camping.
- Services will not be allowed in the Baca Mountain Tract Area.
Fees
If a proposal is accepted and the ranger district proceeds with issuing a special use permit, the potential permittee will be responsible for fees associated with outfitting and guiding permits. Fees are generally for permit administration, assigned site fees, and annual fees for the permit, generally 3% of gross revenue for multi-year permits and 5% for one-year permits. The 2025 annual minimum fee for outfitting and guiding on the Rio Grande National Forests is $130 per permit. All new special use permit requests are subject to environmental review and public scoping under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.