The events are meant to solicit public feedback and encourage one-on-one conversations.

(LARAMIE, Wyo.) July 7, 2023 – Public open houses will be hosted by the USDA Forest Service in mid-July to discuss a proposal for new and increased fees at 93 recreation site locations across the Medicine Bow and Routt National Forests. The events are meant to solicit public feedback, provide site-specific information, and encourage one-on-one conversations.

Open houses will be held at local USDA Forest Service Ranger District offices from 4-7 p.m. on the following dates: 

§  July 11 – Brush Creek/Hayden Ranger District Office, 2171 Highway 130, Saratoga, Wyo.

§  July 12 – Parks Ranger District Office, 100 Main St., Walden, Colo.

§  July 13 – Douglas Ranger District Office, 2250 E Richards St., Douglas, Wyo.

§  July 17 – Laramie Ranger District Office, 2468 Jackson St., Laramie, Wyo.

§  July 18 – Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District Office, 925 Weiss Dr., Steamboat Springs, Colo.

§  July 19 – Yampa Ranger District Office, 300 Roselawn Ave., Yampa, Colo.

The broad proposal involves many types of visitor experiences, so the open house events are structured to accommodate a wide variety of public questions and site-specific interest. Public may stop by at any point during the scheduled time to interact with Forest Service staff.

This fee proposal encompasses developed recreation sites on both the Medicine Bow and Routt National Forests, in southeast Wyoming and north central Colorado respectively. The full fee proposal across both states, includes 52 campgrounds, 17 cabins/lookouts, seven group camp sites, and 17 day-use sites.

The intent of the proposed changes is to provide resources for the Forest Service to sustainably operate, maintain, and improve local developed recreation sites.

To see all aspects of the fee proposal and to provide comments please visit our story map and select “Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests.”

There are no fee changes proposed for the Thunder Basin National Grassland.

The Medicine Bow and Routt National Forests have operated recreation fee programs since 1965. Fee changes occurred in 1970, 1973, 1993, 1994, and most recently 2002.

Open houses are one of multiple ways the Forest Service is providing public opportunity to give input on the proposed fee changes. Notification of the proposal and opportunity to comment are also posted on-the-ground at affected recreation sites.

The preferred method for public feedback is online. The comment period will end on November 1, 2023.

Feedback can be emailed to sm.fs.mbrrecfees@usda.gov or sent to the MBRTB Forest Service, Attention: Kristi Murphy, 2468 Jackson Street, Laramie, WY 82070.

For more information on the Forests and the fee proposal visit our website. Additional information will be available throughout the comment period on social media: @FS_MBRTB on Twitter or @FSMBRTB on Facebook.