Will national parks close for a government shutdown? Here's what to know about Colorado
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If the stroke of midnight comes Saturday and the U.S. Congress fails to avert a shutdown by agreeing on a plan to fund the government, that doesn't mean your Sunday trip to one of Colorado's national parks has to be canceled.
Gov. Jared Polis has directed the Colorado Department of Natural Resources to form a plan to keep Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado's three other national parks and other federal lands open in the event of a federal shutdown.
"The closure of the national parks and other federal lands would hurt state and local economies, small businesses, and park employees," Polis said in a statement announcing his executive order Thursday.
Live updates: U.S. could be headed for government shutdown
Colorado has four national parks: Rocky, Mesa Verde National Park, Sand Dunes National Park and Black Canyon of the Gunnison.
"Coloradans and millions of visitors every year — many of whom are looking forward to seeing the beautiful fall colors — hike through trail systems and see the iconic natural wonders in our parks," Polis' statement said. "My action today will help ensure national parks and federal lands will remain open through a potential shutdown and protects Colorado from the damage closing the parks would have."
The order directs Natural Resources to work with Colorado Parks and Wildlife and develop a plan for continued operations and resource protection of Colorado’s national parks and federal lands.
More than 5.5 million people traveled to Colorado to visit the national parks last year, spending more than $695 million in the state, according to the announcement.
The federal Department of the Interior says on its website that a government shutdown means the closure of national parks, but sites can make agreements with local governments, states, tribes or third parties to fund operations. However, the National Park Service won't reimburse them.
Governors in Arizona and Utah are planning to take similar action to keep national parks open.
In 2018, the National Park Service allowed entry into parks, and governors also took action to keep access to parks operational. And back in 2011, citing the Estes Park community's reliance on tourism, former Larimer County Sheriff Justin Smith vowed to keep Rocky Mountain National Park open during a government shutdown threat.
This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Will Colorado's national parks be open in government shutdown?
