RESOLUTION NO. 08-13

A RESOLUTION CONCERNING THE DESIGNATION OF THE COLORADO NATIONAL MONUMENT AS A NATIONAL PARK

RECITALS:

From 1906 to the present day there has been debate in and among the community about the designation of the 20,534 acre preserve to the south and west of Grand Junction currently known as the Colorado National Monument. The founder, John Otto, supported the area being designated as a national park, but since May 24, 1911 by proclamation of President William Howard Taft it has been a national monument. In 1916 the National Park Service (NPS) was created and assumed administration of the Colorado National Monument. The NPS administers the Monument today.

After many years of local debate, discussion and deliberation the City Council, by and with this resolution hereby states its support for the designation of the Colorado National Monument as a National Park and for the following reasons urges Congress to act forthwith to designate and officially change the area, without changing its size or limiting access to established public and private uses, to a National Park.

For some in the community, and equally if not more so for persons passing through, the designation of the area as a monument does not explain or describe the natural features and beauty that is found there. It has been reported that some visitors may have thought that “the monument” was a plaque, statue or dedication to someone, something or some event rather than a place. It has been stated that domestic and international tours do not visit national monuments with the same frequency as they visit national parks.

The City Council trusts that with the change to a National Park that visitors and locals alike will increase their visitation to the Park. Increased visitation will cause increased economic vitality in the community and the region. A form of visitation, encouraged by the Council and which will result in greater utilization of the area without significant detriment to it are bicycle races. Bicycle racing is just one way of increasing visitation; with the National Park designation the Council anticipates many other positive events and opportunities for our citizens as well as those that travel here.

The City Council recognizes and thanks the many citizens that have supported the Monument over the years and have contributed to the recent thoughtful and well intentioned community dialogue surrounding the change. The City Council especially thanks Steve Acquafresca, Barb Bowman, Warren Gore, Lynn Grose, Ken Henry, Bill Hood, Tom Kenyon, Scott McInnis, Greg Mikolai, Jack Neckels, Owen O’Fallon, Bonnie Petersen, John Redifer, Jay Seaton and Diane Schwenke for their work last year on this topic.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GRAND JUNCTION CITY COUNCIL THAT THE CITY DOES HEREBY STATE ITS SUPPORT FOR THE COLORADO NATIONAL MONUMENT TO BE OFFICIALLY DESIGNATED AS A NATIONAL PARK; and

FURTHERMORE, be it resolved that the City Council does authorize and direct staff to transmit this resolution to Representative Tipton and Senators Bennet and Udall and ask for their support of the necessary Congressional action to encourage and direct the change.

ADOPTED the 6^th day of February, 2013.

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           President of the Council

ATTEST:

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Stephanie Tuin, City Clerk