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Senator Udall Joins in on Annual Independence Day Tradition

by KREX News Room
by Jordan Sherman

Story Created: Jul 4, 2012 at 3:49 PM MDT

Story Updated: Jul 4, 2012 at 5:27 PM MDT

FRUITA, Colo.- This Fourth of July, a select group of people scaled Independence Monument for the 102nd consecutive year. The iconic landmark stands 420 feet high.

This year, Sen. Mark Udall joined in on the climb. "It's a way to acknowledge John Otto's vision. It's a way to acknowledge the search and rescue teams that provide for safety in the valley. It is also a way to acknowledge the firefighters and public safety employees across the board," he said.

The climb is part of a tradition started by John Otto more than a century ago. "Here at the Colorado National Monument, we have a tradition that was started 101 years ago by the founder of the park, John Otto," said the Colorado National Monument chief of visitor services, Michelle Wheatley.

As the group of 18 climbed the rock, a large crowd gathered at the Independence Monument overlook while the Independent Brass Band played patriotic music.

Every Independence Day, the Mesa County Tactical Search and Rescue team guides 15 -25 people to the top of Independence Monument.

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Alan Kania said on Thursday, Jul 5 at 9:10 PM

While some people anonymously vent their spleen out of ignorance, I want to congratulate the team of climbers who are keeping the spirit of John Otto alive and well in the Colorado National Monument. Another job well done!

Disgusted said on Wednesday, Jul 4 at 10:56 PM

That's wonderful. Too bad he couldn't acknowledge the founding fathers vision of The Constitution when he voted with the rest of the democrat cowards to impose Obummertax on this nation on December 24th, 2009. Nothing will erase the shame of what the democrat cowards have done to this nation under cover of darkness and holiday that Christmas Eve almost 3 years prior.

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