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A comment period for this project closes
Aug 13, 2025:
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Rehabilitate Kawuneeche Visitor Center and Administrative Wing
Rocky Mountain National Park » Rehabilitate Kawuneeche Visitor Center and Administrative Wing » Document List
Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP, or Park) is planning to rehabilitate the Kawuneeche Visitor Center (KVC) (B-0392; 5GA.1285) and attached administrative offices on the Colorado River District (CRD). KVC is a one-story Park Service Modern-style building constructed in 1968-1969 with additions constructed in 1989 and 1999. The work will include rehabilitation of the building and surrounding landscape, including the parking areas and utilities to bring it into good condition and to meet modern code requirements and needs. This will include meeting accessibility standards. In addition to the rehabilitation work, the exhibits in the KVC lobby, installed in 1992, will be replaced.
The park intends to use the Program Comment on Stewardship and Management of National Park Service Mission 66-Era Facilities (1945-1972) to complete the Section 106 compliance process for this project. The park finds that the majority of properties to be affected by this project are historic properties dating to the Mission 66-era. The park finds that an external review process for certain no adverse effects findings is necessary under this program comment, since conditions, including archeological monitoring and salvaging of historic materials will be required. General information on the Mission 66 Program Comment, including the Program Comment itself, please visit the page Advisory Council on Historic Preservation website linked below.
Per the Mission 66 Program Comment, the review period for this package is 15 business days from the receipt of this package. Written comments or objections may be submitted through the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment or through U.S. mail. Please note that all correspondence must be received by the close of the comment period.
Project Description
Kawuneeche Visitor Center (Lobby and Information Corridor)
As first constructed, the lobby of the KVC had glass curtain walls on all four elevations, with exterior doors for the main entrance centered on the south, an open corridor accessing the administrative wing centered on the north, and exterior doors accessing an outdoor auditorium and natural area centered on the east. The 1989 auditorium addition removed the east exterior curtain wall and expanded the lobby space. The new lobby space featured a windowless exterior wall to the north and an exterior wall with a line of clerestory windows to the south. An indoor auditorium was joined to the east elevation of the expanded lobby and separated by an interior wall. The remaining three extant original glass curtain walls are accented by inverted corners clad in uncoursed native natural stone. The roof is supported by four steel columns clad in wood at each of the inverted corners. The flat roof is supported by an open web joist system, with steel strut webbing connecting the top and bottom joist chords. The roof is covered in tar and gravel with a tall fascia covered in T1-11 plywood siding; the height of the fascia was altered from the original roof design in 1999.
This project will involve a rehabilitation of the interior, including finishes, lighting, and museum exhibits, as well as the addition of a fire sprinkler system to bring this up to code. The front entrance doors to the building will also be replaced with new doors that will more closely match the appearance of the original doors. The original windows will remain; film may be applied to the windows to provide UV-protection, but this will be effectively not visible. A glass curtain wall will be constructed across the entrance to the information corridor to create a separate space for the wilderness office located in that corridor. This glass wall will have a similar appearance to adjacent walls.
Office Wing (Administrative Headquarters)
The office wing is rectangular in plan with the long axis predominantly oriented east-west. The principal elevation faces north toward the employee section of the parking lot, and the information corridor connected to the lobby is adjoined to the south elevation. The foundation is poured concrete and is elevated in places due to fluctuating topography. The exterior walls are clad in T1-11 plywood siding with regularly spaced pairs of applied vertical wood posts delineating the wall below the exposed roof beams and the window openings in the north, east, and south elevations. The flat roof is an open web joist system consisting of two wood members with steel struts forming a truss and features widely overhanging eaves with exposed roof beams and fascia clad in T1-11 plywood siding. Around 1999, the eaves were heightened with a 1' × 12' board altering the original proportion and appearance of the roof. This alteration was further extenuated in 2020 when the roof was replaced and at which time the fascia was reclad in T1-11 plywood siding and metal flashing was installed. The soffit is plywood.
This project will involve a rehabilitation of the interior, including finishes and utilities, as well as the addition of a fire sprinkler system to bring this up to code. The windows will be replaced. The fenestration pattern on the administrative office wing will not change, including the overall size and operability of the windows, and they will be similar in appearance. The single-pane windows will be replaced with more energy-efficient double-pane windows, which will allow the rehabilitation of the interior window trim back to its original appearance, removing the additional trim and multiple layers of window coverings that were necessary to insulate the building for the comfort of employees, largely restoring the interior appearance of the windows to its original appearance.
Comfort Station
The comfort station is rectangular in plan and includes an addition to the east elevation constructed in 1999. It is connected to the lobby by the covered walk that is attached to and spans the full width of the west elevation. The foundation of the comfort station is a concrete slab at grade. The exterior cladding is uncoursed native stone veneer on the west and east elevations and T1-11 plywood siding on the north and south elevations and in the gable ends. The eaves of the original flat roof overhang the exterior walls and are clad boxed with T1-11 plywood siding fascia and plywood soffit. The front-gabled roof was constructed on top of the original flat roof in 2008; it is covered with standing seam metal.
This project proposes to renovate the comfort station, including rehabilitation of the interior and removing the gabled roof and restoring the original flat roof.
Covered Walk
The covered walk extends south from the south elevation of the lobby. It is a flat roof open-air corridor supported by regularly spaced four-post columns. The columns are steel clad in Douglas fir posts and spacers that are bolted on concrete piers. Wide exposed beams span the length of the walk and are supported within the columns. The eaves overhang the columns and are boxed with wood board fascia and the tongue and groove wood ceiling below. The flat roof is covered with rolled asphalt. Two low wood benches are integrated between three columns in the west side of the walk. As originally built, the covered walk ceiling also featured a centered line of five lights with glazed cylindrical globes. These were replaced at some point with five noncompatible square light fixtures. Originally, immediately south of the lobby entrance, a succession of columns set on a ground-level wood rail created an open-air exterior foyer and a connection to the covered walk. This area has since been enclosed with glass and a second pair of glazed steel doors.
These newer exterior doors will be replaced with doors that have a similar appearance to the original entry doors. The low benches that are built into the covered walkway, between the columns, will be retained.
Landscape and Parking Areas
As drawn on Robert D. Newcombs 1967 plans, the original landscape plan specified a relatively clear area around the visitor center, to be surrounded by thick stands of lodgepole pine on the ridge to the north and east and in the area between the parking lot and Trail Ridge Road. Small stands of trees were to be grouped west of the lobby, east of the information corridor, and east and south of the comfort station, separated by open areas of natural grasses and other low vegetation. Programmed but naturalistic public space was concentrated east of the lobby and covered walkway, and contained a concrete and stone terrace, bench seating, an open lawn at the bottom of a graded amphitheater, and a rock-lined stream fed by the Harbison Ditch. The stream meandered through the landscaping behind the comfort station, into a pool behind the lobby, beneath the covered walkway, and into the landscaping west (in front) of the lobby (see Figure 2). The diverted water flow ultimately rejoined the Harbison Ditch west of the visitor center. Extant original landscaping features consist of the rock-lined stream channel that remains behind the comfort station, below the covered walkway, and in the landscaping in front of the lobby. The amphitheater and terrace, in addition to portions of the stream channel and pool, were removed for the construction of the 1989 auditorium addition. Increased vegetation has compounded the loss of constructed features in altering the historic designed landscape, particularly overgrowth of native lodgepole pine, aspen, and nonnative spruce trees.
This project will include rehabilitation of the exterior walkways and parking, including bringing the walkways into compliance with ABAAS where possible. Fencing and railings will be replaced and installed to meet code and safety requirements, and the public gathering area at the rear of the building will be rehabilitated and expanded.
Utilities
This project will also include rehabilitation of existing utilities, including water and wastewater, following existing utility lines, mostly within the immediate area of the Kawuneeche Visitor Center. A fiber line will be replaced to the Grand Lake Entrance in the same location. Archeological monitors will monitor all ground disturbing activities.
(970) 586-1201
The park intends to use the Program Comment on Stewardship and Management of National Park Service Mission 66-Era Facilities (1945-1972) to complete the Section 106 compliance process for this project. The park finds that the majority of properties to be affected by this project are historic properties dating to the Mission 66-era. The park finds that an external review process for certain no adverse effects findings is necessary under this program comment, since conditions, including archeological monitoring and salvaging of historic materials will be required. General information on the Mission 66 Program Comment, including the Program Comment itself, please visit the page Advisory Council on Historic Preservation website linked below.
Per the Mission 66 Program Comment, the review period for this package is 15 business days from the receipt of this package. Written comments or objections may be submitted through the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment or through U.S. mail. Please note that all correspondence must be received by the close of the comment period.
Project Description
Kawuneeche Visitor Center (Lobby and Information Corridor)
As first constructed, the lobby of the KVC had glass curtain walls on all four elevations, with exterior doors for the main entrance centered on the south, an open corridor accessing the administrative wing centered on the north, and exterior doors accessing an outdoor auditorium and natural area centered on the east. The 1989 auditorium addition removed the east exterior curtain wall and expanded the lobby space. The new lobby space featured a windowless exterior wall to the north and an exterior wall with a line of clerestory windows to the south. An indoor auditorium was joined to the east elevation of the expanded lobby and separated by an interior wall. The remaining three extant original glass curtain walls are accented by inverted corners clad in uncoursed native natural stone. The roof is supported by four steel columns clad in wood at each of the inverted corners. The flat roof is supported by an open web joist system, with steel strut webbing connecting the top and bottom joist chords. The roof is covered in tar and gravel with a tall fascia covered in T1-11 plywood siding; the height of the fascia was altered from the original roof design in 1999.
This project will involve a rehabilitation of the interior, including finishes, lighting, and museum exhibits, as well as the addition of a fire sprinkler system to bring this up to code. The front entrance doors to the building will also be replaced with new doors that will more closely match the appearance of the original doors. The original windows will remain; film may be applied to the windows to provide UV-protection, but this will be effectively not visible. A glass curtain wall will be constructed across the entrance to the information corridor to create a separate space for the wilderness office located in that corridor. This glass wall will have a similar appearance to adjacent walls.
Office Wing (Administrative Headquarters)
The office wing is rectangular in plan with the long axis predominantly oriented east-west. The principal elevation faces north toward the employee section of the parking lot, and the information corridor connected to the lobby is adjoined to the south elevation. The foundation is poured concrete and is elevated in places due to fluctuating topography. The exterior walls are clad in T1-11 plywood siding with regularly spaced pairs of applied vertical wood posts delineating the wall below the exposed roof beams and the window openings in the north, east, and south elevations. The flat roof is an open web joist system consisting of two wood members with steel struts forming a truss and features widely overhanging eaves with exposed roof beams and fascia clad in T1-11 plywood siding. Around 1999, the eaves were heightened with a 1' × 12' board altering the original proportion and appearance of the roof. This alteration was further extenuated in 2020 when the roof was replaced and at which time the fascia was reclad in T1-11 plywood siding and metal flashing was installed. The soffit is plywood.
This project will involve a rehabilitation of the interior, including finishes and utilities, as well as the addition of a fire sprinkler system to bring this up to code. The windows will be replaced. The fenestration pattern on the administrative office wing will not change, including the overall size and operability of the windows, and they will be similar in appearance. The single-pane windows will be replaced with more energy-efficient double-pane windows, which will allow the rehabilitation of the interior window trim back to its original appearance, removing the additional trim and multiple layers of window coverings that were necessary to insulate the building for the comfort of employees, largely restoring the interior appearance of the windows to its original appearance.
Comfort Station
The comfort station is rectangular in plan and includes an addition to the east elevation constructed in 1999. It is connected to the lobby by the covered walk that is attached to and spans the full width of the west elevation. The foundation of the comfort station is a concrete slab at grade. The exterior cladding is uncoursed native stone veneer on the west and east elevations and T1-11 plywood siding on the north and south elevations and in the gable ends. The eaves of the original flat roof overhang the exterior walls and are clad boxed with T1-11 plywood siding fascia and plywood soffit. The front-gabled roof was constructed on top of the original flat roof in 2008; it is covered with standing seam metal.
This project proposes to renovate the comfort station, including rehabilitation of the interior and removing the gabled roof and restoring the original flat roof.
Covered Walk
The covered walk extends south from the south elevation of the lobby. It is a flat roof open-air corridor supported by regularly spaced four-post columns. The columns are steel clad in Douglas fir posts and spacers that are bolted on concrete piers. Wide exposed beams span the length of the walk and are supported within the columns. The eaves overhang the columns and are boxed with wood board fascia and the tongue and groove wood ceiling below. The flat roof is covered with rolled asphalt. Two low wood benches are integrated between three columns in the west side of the walk. As originally built, the covered walk ceiling also featured a centered line of five lights with glazed cylindrical globes. These were replaced at some point with five noncompatible square light fixtures. Originally, immediately south of the lobby entrance, a succession of columns set on a ground-level wood rail created an open-air exterior foyer and a connection to the covered walk. This area has since been enclosed with glass and a second pair of glazed steel doors.
These newer exterior doors will be replaced with doors that have a similar appearance to the original entry doors. The low benches that are built into the covered walkway, between the columns, will be retained.
Landscape and Parking Areas
As drawn on Robert D. Newcombs 1967 plans, the original landscape plan specified a relatively clear area around the visitor center, to be surrounded by thick stands of lodgepole pine on the ridge to the north and east and in the area between the parking lot and Trail Ridge Road. Small stands of trees were to be grouped west of the lobby, east of the information corridor, and east and south of the comfort station, separated by open areas of natural grasses and other low vegetation. Programmed but naturalistic public space was concentrated east of the lobby and covered walkway, and contained a concrete and stone terrace, bench seating, an open lawn at the bottom of a graded amphitheater, and a rock-lined stream fed by the Harbison Ditch. The stream meandered through the landscaping behind the comfort station, into a pool behind the lobby, beneath the covered walkway, and into the landscaping west (in front) of the lobby (see Figure 2). The diverted water flow ultimately rejoined the Harbison Ditch west of the visitor center. Extant original landscaping features consist of the rock-lined stream channel that remains behind the comfort station, below the covered walkway, and in the landscaping in front of the lobby. The amphitheater and terrace, in addition to portions of the stream channel and pool, were removed for the construction of the 1989 auditorium addition. Increased vegetation has compounded the loss of constructed features in altering the historic designed landscape, particularly overgrowth of native lodgepole pine, aspen, and nonnative spruce trees.
This project will include rehabilitation of the exterior walkways and parking, including bringing the walkways into compliance with ABAAS where possible. Fencing and railings will be replaced and installed to meet code and safety requirements, and the public gathering area at the rear of the building will be rehabilitated and expanded.
Utilities
This project will also include rehabilitation of existing utilities, including water and wastewater, following existing utility lines, mostly within the immediate area of the Kawuneeche Visitor Center. A fiber line will be replaced to the Grand Lake Entrance in the same location. Archeological monitors will monitor all ground disturbing activities.
Contact Information
Rocky Mountain National Park Superintendent(970) 586-1201