Free days in RMNP July 3rd, 4th, and 5th?

[Dan Denning]

Hi Superintendent Ingram,

Just a quick one to share some information I came across and confirm our meeting next month. 

Also a question:  Are the next three days free days in RMNP? 

I understand folks will still need a reservation. But I'd heard the Park was otherwise open to the public in celebration of America's 250th birthday. I hadn't seen anything on RMNP social media to confirm it, though. Thought I"d double check!

Second, I've hopefully locked in a date to meet with you in about a month. Thank you for having Kathryn reach out and make the arrangements. I will try to send some questions in advance, unless you have a specific agenda or items you'd like to cover.

Finally, I read recently that over 1,200 people or groups have been involved in discussions with NPS Gateway Community Coordinators since the creation of that position in 2025. Yosemite's surrounding counties and communities have actually formed a 501(C) (non profit) called Yosemite Gateway Partners. 

It's a formalized structure in which the Park, surrounding communities, counties, and business/tourist associations can regularly engage (four times a year) with the the Park in planning and on-going discussions about conservation, visitor management, and other issues that recur.

I took the liberty of attaching some of the documentation from the surrounding counties (Madera, Mariposa, Mono, and Tuolumne). The next quarterly meeting for Yosemite Gateway Partners is on July 9th. Is it possible you or someone in your organization could attend or be briefed on that meeting? It would be interesting to see how it's working...in places where it's more advanced.

This seems like one way forward for RMNP and Colorado's Gateway Communities to more formally collaborate and cooperate on Park planning. To my knowledge, RMNP has still not held one public quarterly meeting, as required by the Secretary's order. Is this correct?

I acknowledge you've said the Park regularly meets with local government and business groups...but I don't think this meets the formal, transparent, and collaborative requirements in the Secretary's order...and would be interested in knowing if you feel otherwise, or have been told that what you're doing is sufficient.

Anyway, that's all for later. I hope all is well. I know Yosemite, having cancelled reservations this year, is a bit of a test case that Colorado elected officials and RMNP will be watching. I thought some additional context on how the Gateway Community program is already working would be helpful. 

I remain of the opinion that Colorado elected officials and tourist/business groups can and should be doing much more/better that the current informal and semi-private/non-transparent relationship.  Happy 4th and have a great weekend!

With regards,

Dan