Pitkin County staff to pursue special-use permit to manage Maroon Bells; commissioners give informal support

Pitkin County staff told the Board of County Commissioners on May 12 that they will pursue a special‑use permit from the U.S. Forest Service to manage the Maroon Bells Scenic Area and asked the board to direct county staff to develop an operations plan and fee structure for the site.

The request, presented by Gary Tenenbaum, director of Pitkin County Open Space and Trails, and White River National Forest staff, was framed as a way to stabilize operations, address accumulated deferred maintenance and improve on‑the‑ground staffing and visitor services. Tenenbaum said the county envisions a “village” of partners managing the Bells and that fee revenue would be placed in an enterprise fund to cover staffing and maintenance costs.

Why it matters: The Forest Service currently operates the Maroon Bells and has run the site at a structural deficit for years. County staff said the site is running a significant annual shortfall (they described the gap as roughly $300,000), that fee changes (including a new $5 e‑bike daily fee and a $25 annual Maroon Bells pass) and a no‑show charge for reservations could help close the gap, and that putting the operation into a county enterprise fund would permit more flexible local management and reinvestment in deferred maintenance.

Quote and attribution: Kendra Head, the Forest Service’s developed and dispersed recreation manager, described this year’s on‑site improvements: “We do have water and electricity up at the Maroon Bells this year,” she said, noting services at the bunker and the Queen campsite are operational after years without them. Gary Tenenbaum, the county Open Space and Trails director, said the county’s goal is to “protect the resource” and that the county would use fee revenue to fund deferred maintenance rather than generate profit.

What the board asked for: Commissioners pressed staff for more detail on the finances and on how the county would preserve free and low‑cost access options for residents. Liz Woods, Pitkin County finance director, reminded the board that to keep an enterprise fund classification the fund may not receive more than 10% of its revenue from other county funds. Several commissioners asked for a breakdown of where additional revenue would come from (shuttle fares, no‑show fees, e‑bike fees) and how long it would take to reach a balanced budget. The board also asked staff to plan public engagement this summer and to return with a detailed operations plan and fee schedule for formal consideration later this year.

Board direction and next steps: County staff asked the board to authorize staff to pursue the permit application and to develop a detailed operations plan. Commissioners indicated informal support during the work session—multiple commissioners signaled approval and the panel requested staff return with the fee proposals, budget reconciliation and public‑engagement results before any final action. Staff said the special‑use permit term under consideration would be five years with an option to renew and that the Forest Service would retain oversight and handle large capital projects.

Outstanding details: Staff described some revenue assumptions (a $5 e‑bike daily fee, a $25 annual Maroon Bells pass, and a no‑show fee for reservations) and reported that reservations went live Feb. 15, but did not provide a complete, board‑vetted estimate of total new revenue. Staff said some portion of fees (they referenced a roughly 18% federal withholding that typically applies to concession revenue) could be applied to deferred maintenance under negotiated terms, but the board directed staff to return with specific figures and proposed fee levels before any formal approval.

The board will expect a follow‑up this fall with a formal proposal for fees, enterprise‑fund budgeting details, and public‑engagement results that will be scheduled for regular meeting consideration.