Story Created:
Jan 29, 2012 at 6:42 PM MDT
Story Updated:
Jan 30, 2012 at 10:15 PM MDT
A committee looking into changing the status of the Colorado National Monument into a national park is now wanting public input. Mayor of Fruita and co-chair of this committee Ken Henry told NewsChannel 5 that the process is still in the very early stages, but after gathering many facts about the potential change the committee is ready to get more public comment.
This committee has been meeting for almost a year under the advisement of U.S. Representative Scott Tipton and Senators Michael Bennet and Mark Udall.
"We have felt it was important for us to develop facts and get those facts disseminated to the public so they could decide for themselves," Henry said.
Henry also said one of the reasons to change the status comes from a want to assign a name that better describes the area.
"A name change would address more accurately what resources we have up there," said Henry.
The committee says they actually couldn't find any real difference between a national monument and a national park, but they would still like to hear what the public has to say.
In an online survey launched Sunday morning, the committee hopes to find if there are any areas they may have missed in their research of issues.
So far, over 38% of survey users have visited the Monument more than 12 times this year.
41% of people say they look forward to the increase in tourism and recognition that might happen while 33% of survey takers are concerned there might be increased restrictions on traffic if the Monument were to change its status.
Committee officials say they want to assure the public that no changes to traffic enforcement will be made if the status change does go through.
To take the online survey, click
here. Or if you'd like to comment in person, the next public meeting is on February 15th at 3:00 PM at Colorado Mesa University.
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Extraordinary Hiker said on Tuesday, Jan 31 at 5:43 PM
Did you think the Airport Fence was bad? Wait till they make this thing a National Park. they will choke off Gold Star Canyon, Lower Liberty Cap Trailhead, The Little Park Road Entrance and more. You will have to go to the North Desert to recreate as you will not be able to get into the CMN..er CNP.
Daryl Iser said on Monday, Jan 30 at 5:11 PM
Name change would be ok but boundary changes or park expansion to get the name change is out of the question!
Steve said on Sunday, Jan 29 at 11:53 PM
National Monuments are designated by a U.S. President ... National Parks are designated by Congress ... the mayor of Fruita has absolutely nothing to do with any of this ever happening.
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