Ten years ago, a partial government shutdown cost the area about $5 million before then-Governor John Hickenlooper joined other governors in coughing up cash in order to keep national sites in their states open until the government got back to work. In the case of Colorado, Hickenlooper anted up $362,700 in state funds to pay National Park Service employees at Rocky Mountain National Park for ten days.
There are more than 400 national parks across the country, including four in Colorado: the Great Sand Dunes, Mesa Verde and Black Canyon of the Gunnison, along with Rocky Mountain National Park. All could close if the government shuts down, since there would be no federal workers to keep them open. "Government Shutdown Will Close America’s National Parks, Impede Visitor Access," notes a memo distributed by the Department of the Interior early September 29:
In the event of a lapse in annual government appropriations, National Park Service (NPS) sites will be closed. This means that the majority of national parks will be closed completely to public access. Areas that, by their nature, are physically accessible to the public will face significantly reduced visitor services.Would Governor Jared Polis pay to keep Rocky Mountain National Park open and safe for visitors? He supported Hickenlooper's move a decade ago when he was in Congress and the area had already been hit hard by floods.
At NPS sites across the country, gates will be locked, visitor centers will be closed, and thousands of park rangers will be furloughed. Accordingly, the public will be encouraged not to visit sites during the period of lapse in appropriations out of consideration for protection of natural and cultural resources, as well as visitor safety. ...
Subject to the approval of the NPS Director, parks may enter into non-reimbursable arrangements with state, local or Tribal governments, cooperating associations, and/or other third parties for donations to fund the full operation of an individual park site or of specified services that clearly benefit the park and public by providing enhanced visitor health, protection and safety. The NPS is not authorized to reimburse third parties that provide donations for such services.
Turns out, he would. Shortly before the Governor's Awards for Outstanding Tourism Efforts were presented September 28 at the annual state tourism conference, Polis issued an executive order directing the Colorado Department of Natural Resources to develop a plan for continued operations and resource protection of Colorado’s national parks and other federal lands in the event of a government shutdown.
“Our state is proud to be home to world-class outdoors, including four national parks, that play a key role in our economy and way of life," Polis said in a statement. "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. Colorado’s beautiful national parks belong to the American people and help support our local communities and economy. The closure of the national parks and other federal lands would hurt state and local economies, small businesses, and park employees. 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. I urge the federal government to reach an agreement, and I am hopeful they will do so to avoid a shutdown."
Last year, more than 5.5 million people traveled to Colorado to visit the national parks, spending over $695 million, Polis's office noted.
Start the bugling.
This story has been updated to add the Department of Interior memo and Governor Jared Polis's executive order issued September 28.
