Problem
Eldora Ski Resort has grown in popularity very quickly. Traffic and congestion from people choosing to Ski here vs sit in traffic on I-70 has made the problem worse. It makes sense to charge a fee to encourage carpooling for people driving from a distance to ski (like Boulder and Denver). However; Many locals who work during the week like to ski a few runs, or enjoy the days where Boulder Canyon is closed due to an epic storm; Most locals I know go up, ski a few runs and bail, opening those spots for others. Additionally, locals cannot get the bus passes you offered except in Boulder, and it seems like this option will go away next year anyway. It is silly for someone who lives in Eldora to drive into Ned just to go back to Eldora. It is hard to carpool if you are only skiing a few runs. Many locals Ski a few runs then go home. Many Locals bought an Ikon ski pass that is so prominently offered on your website as opposed to an Eldora pass. Just because someone is 'Local' does not mean they are free on weekdays. Cost of living has taken a drastic turn upward here and this fee affects many locals who struggle and save all year to be able to afford to ski. I know of several people who are long time supporters of Eldo that go up and ski 3-4 runs before they open their local business. For some of us you are adding hundreds of dollars to a sport we can barely afford. 

Solution
Understanding that many locals are not part of the problem and have supported you throughout all these big changes is the first step.

Choosing one of these options would go a long way;

1). You could offer a locals shuttle service and parking from the High school. This would allow locals to pop up and ski a few runs and run back home for lunch, etc.

2). Set aside a Locals only area of the lot and monitor to see what the actual use and turnover of the lot is. You will probably find it turns over more frequently

3). Allow 'Local' Ikon pass holders (10 mile or less radius?, which would lock out people on the flats and in Boulder) to also register their cars.

4).  Add a tiered system; five dollars for the first two hours $10 until 12 or four hours, and then $20 after that. That would allow locals to go up and have a reasonable parking charge get a couple runs in and leave, people that come from Denver are unlikely to come up for two or four hours. Therefore this option would still allow you to make money, but would not penalize location .

Personal story
I have lived up here for 14 years. I run a local non-profit 'P2Pforestwatch.org'. I have not skied in 15+ years and finally bought an Ikon pass to learn to ski again at Eldora and take a few trips to Winter park with my girlfriend. I, like MANY locals have struggled to stay here as property taxes, rents, and cost of living has increased so drastically over the last 5ish years. I saved last year and this year to buy a pass. I have not skied in a long time and bought a pass so I could go up on a Sunday in the morning and practice a bit and then come home; not stay all day.