By Scott Owen
A day of free, interactive and educational public events is planned for Saturday, September 24 at Chimney Rock National Monument. The events will recognize the 10th anniversary of the designation of the site as a national monument. Events will occur between 9am and 4pm.
Chimney Rock embodies spiritual, historic and scientific resources of great value and significance. Designation of Chimney Rock as a national monument honors the anthropological, geologic, hydrologic, biological and scenic resources and enhances the understanding and appreciation of these resources for visitors.
Chimney Rock National Monument was designated by Presidential Proclamation on September 21, 2012, making it the seventh national monument managed by the USDA Forest Service. The day-long event will showcase a new visitors center at the site.
Please note that Chimney Rock National Monument will be reserved for exclusive use by Tribal members on Friday, September 23 and the site will be closed to the visiting public that day.
Chimney Rock National Monument is located at 3179 CO-151, Chimney Rock, CO 81121, 3 miles south of U.S. Route 160.
More information about the schedule of events on September 24 is located at https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1046613.pdf
Contact the Chimney Rock National Monument Events Team at SM.FS.CRNMevents@usda.gov for answers to questions about the events. For more information on the Friday, September 23rd closure contact Mark Lambert at Mark.B.Lambert@usda.gov. For information on the San Juan National Forest, call (970) 247-4874, or visit the forest website.
This event is supported by Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act (NATIVE Act) funding. The purpose of the NATIVE Act is to (1) support Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations in showcasing their history, culture, and continuing vitality, enhancing or maintaining their distinctive cultural features, and providing authentic and respectful visitor experiences; (2) assist in interpreting the connections between Native Americans and the national identity of the United States; (3) enhance efforts to promote understanding and respect for diverse cultures in the United States and the relevance of those cultures; and (4) ensure that travelers at airports and ports of entry are welcomed in a manner that both showcases and respects the diversity of Native American communities.
Scott Owen is Public Affairs Officer with San Juan National Forest.