Tools

National Park Budget Cuts Concern Local Residents

by KREX News Room
by Taylor Kanost

Story Created: Mar 1, 2013 at 5:05 PM MDT

Story Updated: Mar 1, 2013 at 6:50 PM MDT

COLORADO NATIONAL MONUMENT - Local residents gathered at the east entrance of the Colorado National Monument today to show their concern about national park budget cuts.

The 5.1% cuts to the National Park Service are a result of the sequester that went into effect today.

Park hours could be reduced, and several full-time employees will likely be furloughed.

Among those who could be affected include safety personnel, and as a result, some hiking trails and campgrounds could be closed.

People from around the Grand Valley came together to express their concerns.

"With the budget cuts, having to see a place like this essentially fall into disrepair because there won't be enough staff to take care of it and make sure that it's protected is really a sad thing to see," said CMU student Chani Capps.

Sam Kraus organized the gathering in order to display how crucial national parks are to their surrounding communities.

"It's just astounding in my eyes that we can afford to close these when we have such breath-taking natural beauty that we should be able to keep as accessible as possible to the American public," said Kraus.

Secretary of the Interior, Ken Salazar, says some facilities and services could close at parks nationwide.

In a recent report released by the National Park Service, $30.1 billion were spent on national parks in 2011 by nearly 282 million Americans.

The report also showed that the National Park Service emplyed over 250,000 people in 2011.

You have indicated this comment should be removed.

Close

The comment has been submitted for review. Thank you .

Disgusted said on Sunday, Mar 3 at 2:17 AM

Oh oh, we better watch out. Jeffy is going to buy a Gutenberg press and will get the message out somehow, in spite of the vast right-wing conspiracy to silence his logical, kind, loving views.

Liars said on Saturday, Mar 2 at 1:48 PM

All of the Colorado State Parks' mineral rights have been leased out to natural gas companies. This is going to destroy the parks, but bring in lots of revenue. Stupid idiots.

Jeff said on Saturday, Mar 2 at 9:36 AM

Wow, erasing my pro left stance but leaving this garbage up all the time from the right? I will be watching the other stations now. SO much for free speech. There was no hate in my messages but you all allow these bigots to write what they want?

Floyd said on Saturday, Mar 2 at 8:54 AM

There are thousands of programs that could be cut without harming programs that help communities. But, those programs are those that line the pockets of political contributers, who would want to see those programs stopped? Politicians today would rather harm the citizens than themselves and their contributers. There is a big difference between serving the people and serving themselves.

Floyd said on Saturday, Mar 2 at 8:38 AM

Obama must have taken lessons from the Grand Junction politicians, they do that every time they want something the people don't want. Take away services that are necessary instead of those that line the pockets of the friends of the politicians.

Disgusted said on Friday, Mar 1 at 7:22 PM

Wow, elections have consequences. How about that?

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 1000 Characters Left

KREX - News, Weather, Sports for Grand Junction | Montrose | Glenwood Springs - Coverage You Can Count On and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.

Most Popular
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
News Channel 5 Weather