Ideas. Stories. Community.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Donate during KSJD's Spring Fund Drive and you could win a Super73 E-Bike! Click here to donate NOW.

Mesa Verde to Reopen After Repairs, Snow Removal

Mesa Verde National Park is set to open to the public next week, over a month after it closed during the partial government shutdown. 

At the start of the shutdown, a sign greeted park visitors to proceed at their own risk due to staff being furloughed. However, several rounds of snowfall made for dangerous road conditions and a park ranger was stationed at the entrance, blocking visitors from entering.

 

The park’s current plan is to reopen at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 4. The Mesa Verde Visitor Center will open at 8:30 a.m., its usual winter hours.

 

The delayed opening is due to the repairs of a road and guardrail damaged by a rockfall about two miles from the park’s entrance. Additionally, plows are working to clear a month’s worth of snow accumulation from roads and parking lots throughout the park.

 

In a release, public information officer Cristy Brown thanked the community for their cooperation during the shutdown and the park’s closure.

 

“Mesa Verde’s employees are happy to be back at work,” Brown said. “Serving the American people and welcoming visitors to their national parks.”