A federal hiring freeze and sudden staffing cuts are already affecting national parks across the country—and here in Montrose, where Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is a major tourism driver, local business owners say the consequences could be felt across the economy as early as this summer.

The freeze, enacted in February by the current administration, was part of a sweeping effort to reduce the federal workforce. The move halted seasonal hiring across all National Park Service (NPS) sites and triggered layoffs for nearly 1,000 park employees nationwide, according to multiple reports.

Locally, between 27 and 30 staff members have already been laid off at Black Canyon, said Ally Gerken, president of the nonprofit Friends of the Black Canyon. With no seasonal hiring allowed, facilities across the park could see reduced hours or closures—including bathrooms, fee stations, and the park bookstore, which typically provides a key revenue stream.

“So many people don’t realize what kind of impact the Black Canyon brings in here,” said Ed LeViness, owner of Ed’s Fly Shop in downtown Montrose. “People come here to go to the Black Canyon. Then they stay in our hotels, eat at our restaurants, shop downtown. If the park isn’t operational—if it looks dirty or it’s understaffed—they might just go somewhere else.”

The concern is not just about visitor numbers—it’s also about experience. LeViness fears that if the park becomes known for poor conditions, it could have long-term effects on the area’s reputation.

“They’ve dropped custodial staff, toll takers—important people in the park,” he said. “It’s going to give people a bad impression. They’re going to say, ‘That place is disgusting,’ and they might not come back. It’s going to be a mess.”

Gerken said the Friends group is already working to find volunteers to keep basic operations running, such as staffing the bookstore. But the uncertainty around the freeze—and the lack of clear federal guidance—makes long-term planning difficult.

“The scariest part about this is it’s not just 27 park employees that were let go,” she said. “This has ripple effects we can’t even fully measure yet. Someone said to me, losing this much park access is like losing the cattle industry. That’s the kind of economic impact we’re talking about.”

Gerken noted that the group is especially concerned about potential closures or access limitations this summer. “Morrow Point and Blue Mesa may not be accessible for boaters if there’s no one to inspect for invasive species,” she said. “And we don’t even know yet whether the full campground system will be operational.”

She added, “The status changes week to week. It’s a mess—an absolute mess.”

In response, the Friends of the Black Canyon and a coalition of business owners have drafted an open letter addressed to U.S. Rep. Jeff Hurd, highlighting the park’s economic importance to Montrose and urging immediate attention to staffing needs. The letter has gathered more than 50 signatures from downtown businesses and can be viewed at friendsoftheblackcanyon.org/about-4.

“I walked three blocks of Main Street, told people about the letter, and everyone wanted to sign it,” LeViness said. “People just don’t realize how many visitors are coming here because of that park.”

The National Park Service reported more than 300,000 visits to Black Canyon of the Gunnison in 2023, with visitation numbers continuing to grow. Many of those travelers stop in Montrose as a hub before continuing on to other public lands like Arches, Mesa Verde, or Canyonlands.

“It’s not just us—it’s everybody in town who’s going to be affected,” LeViness said. “And honestly, I haven’t even figured out what we’re going to do if this keeps going.”

Gerken said Friends of the Black Canyon is working with national organizations like the National Parks Conservation Association and local chambers of commerce to coordinate advocacy efforts. But for now, the primary tool is public pressure—and hope that leadership will respond.

“Everyone is scared,” she said. “What’s the motive here? Why target the parks? These are the reasons people live and visit here. If the parks fall apart, so does everything around them.”

As Montrose heads into peak tourist season in June, many are hoping that resolution will come soon. But with uncertainty at the federal level, business owners say they’re bracing for a season unlike any other.

Justin Tubbs is the Montrose Business Times editor. He can be reached by email at justin@montrosebusinesstimes.com or by phone at 970-765-0915 or mobile at 254-246-2260.