Guide to Permits
For CMC course and trip leaders - use these pages to learn about the permit requirements for our land managers, and the timelines associated with the permitting processes.
The majority of CMC trips take place on public lands. These lands may be federal (USDA Forest Service, BLM, National Park Service) state, county, or city open space. Trip leaders and Instructors are required to follow all of the established regulations when using public lands. Because different areas have different regulations, it is essential that the leader takes personal responsibility to understand and practice the regulations specific to their trips. These include group size, permits needed, et cetera. These regulations are subject to change, so the leader needs to check with CMC or the land agency website.
*The only exception being Jefferson County, which requires a permit to be carried by all CMC Instructors and Trip Leaders.
**Providing an "option field day" does not exclude a course from permitting.
PERMITTING RESOURCES:
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Please contact permits@cmc.org with any questions or concerns. Do not contact the land agency on your own.
JEFFCO
Jefferson County requires all trip leaders and instructors to carry the permit on all of our trips and field days. You can also pick up a Jeffco Tag at the main office Tuesday-Thursday from 10am-6pm.
- Maximum Group Size: 14 people (bikers must separate into groups of 8, 1/4 of a mile apart)
- Blackout Days (no trips or courses allowed on these dates): May 23-25, June 19, June 21, July 4-5, Sept 5-7.
- Rock Climbing: Ropes may be placed for a maximum of 90 minutes. They must be removed for a minimum of 30 minutes after that before they can be re-hung on the same route.
USFS
CMC has a Priority Permit with the US Forest Service. The permit is valid through 2032. Under this operating plan, we have a designated amount of service days* permitted at each location (service days = people). Our Summer permitting runs from June 1 - Oct 31. Our Winter programming runs Nov 1 - May 31.
USFS Permit (print or download for your field day)
List of Priority Permit Locations / Map of locations
USFS Important Dates:
- Winter Requests Due Aug 1
- Winter Post Use Due June 15
- Summer Requests Due Feb 1
- Summer Post Use Due Oct 15
Required certifications: Wilderness First Aid for all guides in the field. AIARE or AMGA when applicable for the terrain.
*What are Service Days?
- The USFS calculates service days as the number of students on Forest Service land multiplied by the number of days on Forest Service land. Examples:
- 10 students on a day hike: 10 * 1 = 10 service days.
- 5 students on two different days: 5 * 2 = 10 service days.
- We cannot change the total number of service days granted to us by the Forest Service. There is some flexibility in group size and travel days.
Non-USFS Deadlines
- This includes local and state agencies which include Jefferson County Parks and Open space, Boulder Country Mountain Parks and Open Space, Golden Gate Canyon State Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, etc.
- The season runs all year long, requests are due October 15 for the following calendar year.
- If you are interested in utilizing a park that has not been previously applied for, please email permits@cmc.org
ELDORADO CANYON
All CMC free trips and paid courses must notify the State Park of visits and pay a per person fee.
- Paid CMC trips are charged $7.50 per person. This does not include the entrance fee.
- Unpaid CMC trips are charged $4 per person. Leaders must add a $5 (to cover credit card fees) fee to your scheduled trip for participants to pay. This does not include the entrance fee.
- If you are planning a climbing trip to the inner canyon, leaders must submit a climbing registration form at the beginning of the trip (to the attendant or in the drop box) regardless if there is instruction/guiding involved or not.
- CMC leaders who instruct climbing courses are required to have WFA, CPR, & SPI
- CMC leaders who lead climbing trips are required to have WFA.
- If you are planning a hiking/biking trip to Eldorado, leaders must submit a hiking registration form at the beginning of the trip (to the attendant or in the drop box) regardless if there is instruction/guiding involved or not.
COLORADO SPRINGS - CLIMBING
Will be updated soon!
CASTLEWOOD CANYON
Will be updated soon!
INDIAN PEAKS WILDERNESS
Overnight Permits, Day Use Permits and Parking Reservations are required depending on the season, group size, and location.
- From June 1-September 15, groups between 8 -12 require a group permit and assignment to a particular backcountry zone.
- Trip Leaders: Please print the IPW Trip Leader Permit Info pages below to bring with you on your trips. Some trip leaders have been stopped by Rangers and questioned about their permit and the nature of their trip. Please direct any questions to permits@cmc.org
Indian Peaks Wilderness information starts at this USFS webpage.
- Parking and entry Information is here.
- The Wilderness is divided into 17 backcountry zones, each with a permit quota to limit adverse impacts due to repeated use. All permits available at Recreation.gov.
- Note: From Memorial Day through October 9, the Hessie TH can be reached only via Shuttle Bus from Nederland HS.
- Additional requirements apply if you want to enter IPW from the Brainard Lake Recreation Area. The TH’s reachable from the Brainard entrance are Long Lake, Mitchell Lake/Bear Creek and Niwot Picnic.
- Bear Canisters are required in certain backcountry zones and trailheads.
Trail Conditions are available here.
Climbing information available here.
RENDEZVOUS PROPERTY
The property is a mix of woods and clear-cut, set on a rolling hillside. Located at 9,500' the property holds snow well during winter months. No permit is required, so this is a great back-up option for field days. Please contact permits@cmc.org to set up your reservation. All participants must sign the Rendezvous Liability Waiver.
- Approved activities: Hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and outdoor education programs (avalanche education, survival skills, navigation, winter camping)
- Key notes: Maximum group size is 30 people. Maximum vehicle limit is 10. All participants must sign a CMC Liability Waiver and Rendezvous Liability Waiver through SmartWaiver.
OTHER RESOURCES