rMay 1988

Statement for ManagementColorado National Monument

STATEMENT FOR MANAGEMENT

COLORADO NATIONAL MONUMENT

Definition

The Statement for Management (SFM) provides an up-to-date inventory of the park's condition and an analysisof its problems. It does not involve any prescriptivedecisions on future management and use of the park, butit provides a format for evaluating conditions andidentifying major issues and information voids.

Recommended by: s/Bob Reynolds 2/22/88

Superintendent, Colorado NM Date

Approved by: c/Cd-\^^u<^<ui^> //A><^t^7^^^<-^ =£>"- ^3 -£%Regional Director, "RMR " Date

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National Park ServiceHistorical Trails

ROCKY MOUNTAINREGION

National Park Service

United States Departmentof the Interior

955 BO.OOOC

DEC 84 IrMRO

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VICINITY MAPCOLORADO

NATIONAL MONUMENTU.S. DEPT. OF THE INTERIORNATIONAL PARK SERVICE

MONTEZUMA CASTLE N.M.

1 19 i 80,023JAN '84 I RMRO

Em20,470 35ACRES

PARK BOUNDARY

LANDS ADDED/ DELETEDPER PL. 94- 578 a PL 95-42DELETION 13,10 ACRESADDITION 2.801 83 ACRES

TOTAL MONUMENTACREAGE

BOUNDARY MAP

COLORADONATIONAL MONUMENT

Mesa County

COLORADO

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORNATIONAL PARK SERVICE

MARCH 678 119 60006 A

ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGIONAL OFFICE

I. Location

Colorado National Monument is located in westernColorado near the city of Grand Junction. The monumentlies entirely within Mesa County and is a part of theThird Congressional District.

II. Purpose and Significance

Colorado National Monument was established byPresidential Proclamation No. 1126 on May 24, 1911, thatstated:

"The extraordinary examples of erosion are of greatscientific interest, and it appears that the publicinterest would be promoted by reserving thesenatural formations as a national monument, togetherwith as much public land as may be necessary forthe proper protection thereof."

The Organic Act for the National Park Service (NPS)further defined the purpose of all parks administered bythe NPS:

"... which purpose is to conserve the natural andhistoric objects and the wildlife therein and toprovide for the enjoyment of the same in suchmanner and by such means as will leave themunimpaired for the enjoyment of futuregenerations." An act to Establish a National ParkService, August 25, 1916 (39 Stat. 535)

The monument's purpose, therefore, is preservation ofits resources for scientific and public interest, aswell as the general use and enjoyment of the public.

The monument's most significant resource is its colorfuland picturesque display of geological formations. Evenin a land abounding in canyons, the slab-sided marooncanyons of Colorado National Monument are unusual. Theprocess of erosion and the enormity of earth's time arethe two great geological lessons so well revealed in themonument. Geologically, the monument presents animportant chapter in the canyon country story, becauseit is part of an abrupt transition from the plateau tothe Rocky Mountain province. Located at the northeastedge of the Colorado Plateau, the monument is ideallysituated for the traveler to meet the canyonlandcountry. From a number of points within the area, thevisitor can see excellent examples of rocksrepresenting the many periods of geologic time - fromancient rocks dating from the Precambrian period over a

billion years ago, to the 10-million-year-old lava flowscapping Grand Mesa east of the monument.

Secondary to the geologic story, but still ofsignificance in the overall monument story, are otherhuman and natural history themes. Human history in themonument is only partially understood, but may date back10,000 or more years to the time of Paleo-Indians.Archeological surveys of the monument have beencursory, but sites recorded indicate use by archaichunting-and-gathering people. This is the earliest useidentified by actual physical evidence. Later, the areawas used by Uncompahgre-complex, and more recently, byFremont peoples. Ute Indians were dominant in the areauntil the arrival of European man in the late 19thCentury.

The story of the early historic use of the area nowwithin the monument, and its subsequent development andestablishment as a national monument, as well as JohnOtto's role in the monument's establishment and earlyhistory are significant. Later cultural resource themesare monument development under the CCC and otherDepression era development programs, and the NPS '

s

Mission 66 program. The monument contains excellentexamples of architecture from both of these developmentprograms

.

The flora and fauna of the monument are similar to thosefound across the Colorado Plateau to the west and assuch are valuable for introducing visitors to that vastnatural region. The monument's location, between thecanyon country and the mountains, makes it valuable forscientific and lay studies of the natural history.

Ill . Influences: Inventory and Analysis

A. Legislative and Administrative Requirements

1. Colorado National Monument was established byPresidential Proclamation No. 1126 on May 24, 1911.The proclamation established boundaries andrecognized "...the extraordinary examples oferosion ... of great scientific interest, and[that] it appears the public interest would bepromoted by reserving these natural formations as aNational Monument. ..."

2. The boundaries were enlarged by PresidentialProclamation No. 2037 on March 3, 1933. Thatproclamation stated that the NPS should "... havethe supervision, management, and control of this

monument, as provided in the act of Congressentitled 'An Act to Establish a National ParkService, and for other purposes, ' approvedAugust 25, 1916 (39 Stat. 535-536) , and actsadditional thereto or amendatory thereof."

3. The monument boundary was subsequently modified byPresidential Proclamation in 1959, and finally by aboundary revision published in the Federal Registerpursuant to the Act of June 10, 1977, Public Law95-42 (91 Stat. 210) Section 5 (ii), andaccompanied by boundary map 119-80, 006-A, datedMarch 1978.

4. A proposal to designate 7,700 acres of ColoradoNational Monument as wilderness was submitted toCongress in 1972. Subsequently an additional 7,435acres were identified as potential wilderness.This latter acreage is still under considerationand will be managed as wilderness in the samemanner as the 7,700 acres until both are formallydesignated by Congress.

5. Mountain Bell holds a Special Use Permit issuedOctober 23, 1946, for the construction, operationand maintenance of a telephone and telegraph lineto provide service to Glade Park for a period notto exceed fifty years.

6. The Town of Fruita holds a valid revocable right-of-use to a waterline crossing the monumentbetween Glade Park and the monument's westentrance. The NPS has assured Fruita that thisright-of-use is anticipated to be available as longas the pipeline is serviceable for their needs; andthat the NPS has no objection to repairs orreconstruction of the waterline, so long as thework is done in a reasonable and environmentallysensitive manner, consistent with NPS mandates topreserve and protect Colorado National Monument.

7. The Ute Water Conservancy District providesdomestic water to Colorado National Monument at themonument ' s north boundary near the Fruita entranceand to the developments near the Grand Junctionentrance pursuant to a contract entered intobetween the NPS and the district August 9, 1979.

8

.

Power is provided to the monument by the GrandValley Rural Electric for west entrance andheadquarters developments and by Public Service ofColorado for east entrance developments.

9. The NPS holds a right-of-way across Bureau of LandManagement (BLM) administered lands in the SE1/4of the SE1/4 of Section 27 for construction of aparking lot, trailhead and trail access to theLiberty Cap and Ute Canyon Trails. (BLMreservation C-36742)

10. The NPS has concurrent jurisdiction with the Stateof Colorado over all lands within Colorado NationalMonument

.

11. U.S. District Court Judge Richard P. Matschrendered a decision in 1986 in the long-runningcivil law suits related to the use of the Rim RockDrive for travel to areas outside the monument'sboundaries - notably Glade Park and Pinon Mesa. Heruled that a right-of-way did exist along thecontemporary Rim Rock Drive by virtue of historicalaccess that existed prior to the establishment ofColorado National Monument. His ruling left theadministrative authority and maintenanceresponsibility with the NPS, but prohibited themonument from charging entrance fees to anybodytraveling the easternmost four miles of the RimRock Drive. In addition, he ruled that entrancefees required under current Federal regulationscould not be charged for anyone traveling monumentroads for non-recreational purposes, i.e.,traveling from the Grand Valley to Glade Park orPinon Mesa. He also ruled that the monument couldnot prohibit commercial vehicles from traveling theeasternmost section of the Rim Rock Drive, butcould regulate matters related to public safety,such as weight limits, hazardous cargos, etc. Hisruling also upheld NPS regulations prohibitingcommercial vehicles on the remainder of the RimRock Drive.

12. Two stock driveways - Gordon Toll Road and FruitaDugway - cross Colorado National Monument and havebeen used to provide stockmen with a convenientroute for trailing cattle and sheep to and from theGlade Park/Pinon Mesa environs. This use has beenallowed under conditional special use permits whichallowed the NPS to maintain a suitable level ofcontrol over this activity. There has been no useof the Gordon Toll Road in the last decade. Onlyone permittee who could demonstrate a tradition ofuse on the dugway has been permitted to use thatroute. He went out of the stock business a fewyears ago and the trail hasn't seen stock use

since.

13. The Colorado National Monument Association operateswithin the monument under the provisions of aCooperative Agreement (CA 1378-78-01) , originallyconsummated January 18, 1978, and just renewed toexpire September 30, 1992. The Associationoperates a sales outlet providing educational andinterpretive items for the benefit of the visitingpublic and in order to assist the historical,scientific, educational and interpretive activitiesof the Service.

14. Under the Clean Air Act of 1977 (as amended), themonument is designated a Federal Class II airshed.This affords the monument modest protection of itsair quality related values.

15. The State of Colorado has designated the monument"Category I" for air quality, which provides alevel of protection from in-State sources ofsulphur dioxide (S0 2 ) equal to the protectionafforded under Federal Class I standards.

B. Resources

Natural Resources

Colorado National Monument lies on the northeast edge ofthe Uncompahgre Plateau where it abruptly terminates andadjoins the Grand Valley. The steep-walled sandstonecanyons and the lofty monoliths dominate the landscapeand tell the story of erosional and geological processesthat continue to unfold.

The monument's canyon landscape contains outstandinggeologic features, exposed and sculpted by erosion. Themassive escarpment that forms the northeast edge of theUncompahgre Plateau is a product of a general uplift inassociation with faulting along the southwestern edge ofthe Grand Valley. Geologic history, ranging from thePrecambrian (over a billion years ago) to less than amillion years ago, is recorded in the exposed cliffs.The core of the Uncompahgre Highlands is composed ofcrystalline rock (granite, gneiss, schist andpegmatite) formed during Precambrian time. As much as2 00 vertical feet of Precambrian rock is exposed at thebase of the scarp, forming the deepest defiles of themonument's half-dozen significant canyons. A majorunconformity separates the nearly horizontal sedimentsof the Triassic and above from the much olderPrecambrian metamorphics.

8

The crystalline base was covered alternately with streamand lake deposits and with windblown sand dunes forminga vertical rock sequence. The Chinle formation, a softbasal siltstone, which crumbles easily underfoot, wasdeposited on top of the Precambrian rock. It wascovered by a broad expanse of harder rock, the Wingatesandstone, which tends to retain its integrity as asingle mass and to fracture vertically across most ofits full 3 00 to 600 feet. An even harder capstone, thethinner Kayenta formation, resists erosion and protectsthe expanse of sandstone cliffs below. Above theKayenta, slanting "slick-rock" slopes of the rose-colored Entrada sandstone contribute a naturalornamentation of mesa tops such as is found atSaddlehorn. Above this, the mixed shales and sandstonesof the Summerville and Morrison Formations form buff-colored wooded hills of only moderate relief that standas a relatively neutral backdrop for the cliff andcanyons of the escarpment area.

At about the time the Rocky Mountains were formed,tremendous earth forces lifted the Uncompahgre Plateauand cracked the crust of the earth to form a 10-mile-long fault. This fault forms a conspicuous escarpmentthat runs the length of the monument and separates theescarpment from the Grand Valley. Although formation ofcliffs along most of the Redland's front was originallydue to faulting, erosion has formed a deeply scallopedline of massive sandstone cliffs.

A number of dinosaur fossils have been discovered near,but outside of the monument, in the Morrison Formation.Skeletal remains may also be buried in this formationwithin the higher elevations of the monument.

Elevation ranges from 4,620 to 7,107 feet with attendantvariables in precipitation and habitat.

A semi-desert upland climate prevails in the monumentarea with an average of less than 11 inches of annualprecipitation. Temperatures vary greatly with summerhighs ranging into the mid-90' s and winter lowsoccasionally dipping into the sub-zero range. Theannual mean high temperature is 61° F. and the mean lowtemperature is 39° F. Snowfall averages 38 inches, withheaviest accumulations generally in January.

The high quality of the summer season air shedcontrasts sharply with the frequent poor air qualityexperienced in the winter when the Grand Valley isaffected by recurrent temperature inversions. Long,

clear vistas combined with the extraordinary naturalscenery enhances and accentuates the visitor's enjoymentof the natural resources of the monument and thesurrounding region.

Winds are generally light , with prevailing winds comingfrom a westerly direction. Down-canyon drainage flow istypical at night with reversing up-canyon flow createdfrom daytime solar heating.

There is no permanent water in the monument and streamsflow intermittently after storms or following snow melt.A number of small seeps and springs as well as pot holessupply water for wildlife throughout most of the year,but are not recommended for human consumption.

The dominant vegetation type found in the monument is apinon/juniper woodland that densely covers the higherelevations. Trees in this dwarf forest - Colorado pinonpine and Utah juniper - rarely grow more than 2 0-3 feethigh, with juniper dominating lower elevations andpinon dominating above 6,000 feet. Gambel oak is foundin small pockets within some of the upper shelteredcanyons, such as Ute Canyon. Associated shrubs includeserviceberry, mountain mahogany, and cliff rose. Openareas dominated by big sagebrush and rabbit brush arescattered throughout the woodland-covered mesa tops. Inaddition, there are relict populations of Douglas firand aspen, and two or three ponderosa pines.

At lower canyon elevations, scattered pinon and juniperare interspersed with big sagebrush and a variety ofgrasses. The valley floor on the northeast edge of themonument supports a grassland ground cover that ispredominantly exotic cheatgrass. A more accurate nativeassemblage would include sand dropseed, Indian ricegrass, galleta grass and western wheatgrass.

Along stream beds and near seeps and springs, Rio Grandecottonwood and tamarisk are found, indicating areaswhere sub-surface water is consistently present.

Faunal species characteristic of the foothills of theRocky Mountains, the arid Colorado Plateau and the GreatBasin Desert are all found in Colorado NationalMonument. Mule deer are the most common large mammal,but mountain lion, bobcat, desert bighorn sheep and bearare also found in the monument. Smaller mammals includeporcupine, squirrel, rabbit, fox, prairie dog and avariety of rodents.

Bird life is profuse and includes the endangered

10

peregrine falcon, golden eagle, great horned owl, red-tailed hawk, pinon jay, white-throated swift, magpie andraven, plus many others.

The monument contains habitats suitable for amphibiansand reptiles. A variety of lizard species is commonlyseen by nearly all visitors. The yellowheaded, collaredlizard, commonly found in the monument, is protected bythe State of Colorado.

Cultural Resources

The history of human endeavor at Colorado NationalMonument is only partially understood, but there areindications that occupancy of the area may date back10,000 or more years, to a time when Paleo-Indians stillstalked giant Pleistocene mammals in the twilight of thelast glacial age. Though no direct evidence of theirexistence in the monument has yet been uncovered,carefully crafted Clovis and Folsom points found nearbysuggest that these ancient nomads could have frequentedthe area on a fairly regular basis.

To date, more than 80 prehistoric sites have beenrecorded in the monument. Numerous others are known toexist but have not yet been recorded, and there aredoubtless many more that await initial discovery. Someof the known sites appear to be the camps of archaichunting and gathering people, small groups of which madetemporary use, over the centuries, of the numerousnatural rock shelters that punctuate the monument * smassive sandstone cliffs, or visited the extensiveexposures of Brushy Basin quartz ite presumably insearch of lithic materials. Successive layers ofcharcoal, distinctive styles of rock art and evenevidence of limited agriculture suggest later occupancy,in a few sites, by Uncompahgre-complex and the morerecent Fremont peoples. A cluster of scaffold-trees andat least one rock-art site are of Ute origin.

The Shoshonean groups that we now identify as Utes weredominant in the region from perhaps 1300 A.D. until1881, when the pressures of westward expansion forcedthe last of them out of the Grand Valley ontoreservations in Utah. Shortly thereafter, the area wasformally opened to settlement, and in September 1881,the townsite of Grand Junction was established andsurveyed. A year later, the bustling little townwelcomed the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad.

As Grand Junction grew, other communities were foundednearby. Soon, land was cleared, irrigation canals were

11

dug, and the area quickly developed a thriving farmeconomy. Access to the remote uplands south of town waslimited, however, and the area now encompassed by themonument remained the exclusive province of large cattleoutfits until around the turn of the century, when thefirst homesteaders gained access to Glade Park via thesteep and winding Jacobs Ladder Road.

It was about this time that an eccentric wanderer andvisionary named John Otto first arrived on the scene. Apowder-man, he came to work on the Fruita waterline, anambitious project to provide the town of Fruita withwater from the high ground on Pinon Mesa some twentymiles south. Working along what was to become thewestern boundary of the monument a decade later, Ottofell in love with the majesty of the rugged redrockcanyons, towering monoliths and forested mesas and begana personal involvement with the area that lasted formore than thirty years.

During his stay, Otto built miles of trails which madethe area accessible to the public, worked vigorously topromote community support for its establishment as aNational Park, and, after President William Howard Taftproclaimed it a national monument on May 24, 1911,became at a dollar a month - the area's firstcustodian. Following its establishment, Otto led theeffort to build a road from the Grand Valley to theuplands of the monument. Called the "Serpents Trail",it was envisioned by Otto as the first link in anational scenic highway connecting Grand Junction withthe Pacific coast. But his idea never caught on, andthe road served only to improve access to the monumentand the homesteads on Glade Park a few miles to thesouth.

Now replaced by a high standard road, the Serpents Trailhas been closed to vehicular traffic. It survives as apart of the monument's network of hiking trails, as domost other trails Otto constructed. The Fruitawaterline was realigned and replaced during the 1930 's,

but a few segments of the original redwood pipe stillexist in the monument.

Always eccentric, Otto became ever more difficult todeal with over the years and was thus relieved of hisresponsibilities as custodian in 1927. His interest inthe area remained strong, however, and he stayed in andaround the monument to contribute his services until1934, when inner voices beckoned him to California. OfOtto's accomplishments, only the Serpents Trail isincluded on the List of Classified Structures.

12

In June 1933, the first of three Civilian ConservationCorps (CCC) camps was established in the monument. Overthe next eight years, the CCC and related agenciesconstructed - among other things - the 2 3 -mile-long RimRock Drive, four maintenance shops, a residence andgarage, a comfort station and picnic shelter (all ofnative stone) and miles of boundary fence. They alsoreplaced the six mile segment of the Fruita waterlinethat traversed the monument. All of their projects haveendured, and the eight stone structures and Rim RockDrive in its entirety are included on the monument ' sList of Classified Structures, and are in the process ofbeing nominated to The National Register of HistoricPlaces.

The next significant wave of development occurred duringthe interval from 1956 to 1966, when a number of majorstructures were built in conjunction with the NPS ' sMission 66 Program. Since then, virtually all buildingsof every vintage have been modified in some manner toadapt them for modern living and work practices.

C. Land Uses and Trends

Colorado National Monument includes 2 0,4 54 acres, allwithin Mesa County, Colorado. The land inside theboundary is in Federal ownership. Along the northeastboundary, the NPS owns a few small parcels(approximately 44 acres total) , which are outside theofficial boundary.

Historically, Colorado National Monument has been asmall rural oriented national monument. In recentyears, it has become a focal point for recreation forthe Grand Valley area (estimated population 81,500+).Suburban development over the past 15 years along thenortheast boundary has resulted in resource conflicts.This suburban development is expected to continue.Colorado National Monument has become a suburban parkwith many problems normally associated with an urbanarea.

Interstate 70 and U.S. 50, major arteries leading tomany recreational resources, join at Grand Junction,Colorado. Access from these arteries to the monument isvia State Highway 340 to the West entrance, and Highway34 and Mesa County DS Road to the East entrance. TheRim Rock Drive connects the two entrances.

Commercial transportation to Grand Junction isexcellent. Several major airlines provide regularly

13

scheduled service. Amtrak provides rail service, andContinental Trailways provides bus service. Rental carsare readily available in Grand Junction. Mesa Cab taxicompany provides escorted tours of the monument.

Major metropolitan areas are within an easy day's driveof Colorado National Monument. Three major populationcenters lie within a 350 mile radius: The ColoradoFront Range including Fort Collins, Denver, ColoradoSprings and Pueblo; the Wasatch Front in Utah consistingof Salt Lake City, Provo and Ogden; and the SantaFe/Albuguerque area of New Mexico. The totalpopulation of these three areas is well in excess of 4million.

Outdoor recreation is popular in the vicinity of themonument. The western half of Colorado is covered withnational forests and BLM administered public lands.High mountain recreational opportunities are extensivein this area. There are numerous streams, lakes andreservoirs, and camping is associated with many of them.Lake and stream fishing is a major attraction, andpleasure boating is popular on reservoirs and lakes.This region is a prime hunting area for elk and deer.Winter sports activities are popular throughout thearea. White water rafting on region rivers has becomevery popular.

The Grand Valley, north and east of the monument, is awide, rather flat area used extensively for farming andranching. In the last 15 years, residential developmentclose to Grand Junction and Fruita has taken over muchformerly agricultural land. Public lands south and westof the monument are primarily used for grazing anddispersed recreation. Residential development has grownslowly but steadily in the Glade Park region south andwest of the monument.

Energy development in western Colorado and eastern Utahis presently stagnant, but there are extensive coal,oil, tar sand, and oil shale resources that could bedeveloped within 150 miles of the monument.

D. Visitor Use Analysis

A typical recreational visit to Colorado NationalMonument consists of a leisurely drive across the 23-mile Rim Rock Drive with stops at a few overlooks andthe visitor center to view the exhibits and theintroductory slide program. Such a visit will average2.2 hours. This auto-sightseeing is the primary visitoractivity in the monument. A lesser number of visitors

14

will picnic in one of the two picnic areas or hike onone of the trails. Overnight visitors (19,210 in 1987)generally stay in the Saddlehorn Campground and remainin the monument an average of 14.2 hours.

Most visitors arrive in a personal vehicle, although apercentage arrives by bus or as part of a formal tour.

Visitation has been climbing slowly but erratically overthe last decade culminating in a total of 881,108 for1987. This is a record for the monument, although only0.7% above 1986. Of that total, recreational visitsnumbered 368,250, or 41.5% of the total. The vastmajority of the non-recreational visitors are travelingthrough the monument to the Glade Park/ Pinon Mesa areato the west. A large proportion of that is commutertraffic from residential developments in Glade Park.The large non-recreational component generates a majorworkload for the monument staff in terms of lawenforcement and protection (46% of accidents from 1983to 1985 were on the east four miles of the Rim RockDrive) and road maintenance, including snow removal.

Visitation peaks during the summer travel season, butdue to the proximity of Grand Junction and the heavylocal non-recreational component, it is not nearly asvariable on a seasonal basis as many other westernparks. The heaviest month for visitation is August(109,590 in 1987), and February is the lowest (43,239 in1987) , though it is still 40% of August visitation. Thefive main travel' months of May through September accountfor only 54% of the total visitation (60% of therecreational component) . Seasonally, visitation breaksdown as follows:

3 0% Summer27% Fall16% Winter27% Spring

Visitor origins during summer months are as follows:

45% Out-of-State30% Local (Mesa County)25% Colorado other than Mesa County

15

1977 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 1987

Annual Visitation

110

recreational visits

non-recreational visits l^j

total visits I I

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Aug Nov Dec

Monthly Visitation - 1987Colorado National Monument

16

Analysis of Park Users and Use Patterns

No formal study of visitor use patterns has been done atColorado National Monument, but the following estimatedanalysis of park users and use patterns was generatedfor the Statement for Interpretation:

A. Visitation analysis by selected categories ofusers:

1 . Breakdown by age

:

Summer

11% Children -- 12 years18% Teenagers 13 - 17 years58% Adults 18 -- 61 years13% Senior Citizens 62+

2. Breakdown by special population:

Summer

3% Handicapped2 0% Non-English speaking20% Minority

B. Visitation analysis by origin - destinationpatterns:

1. Breakdown by point of origin

Summer

75% Local residents15% Regional residents8% National residents2% International

2

.

Breakdown by destination/duration of stay

Summer

80% Based day users15% Through visitors

90% Day use only10% Overnight

5% Extended users

Picnicking

Local visitors are the main users of the monument's two

17

picnic areas. The Devils Kitchen is heavily used bygroups and families from the Grand Junction area. Thispicnic area has tables, a CCC-era masonry shelter,restrooms and grills. Parking capacity is limited andgroup size is therefore limited to 25 persons. TheSaddlehorn Picnic area has a much larger capacity and isheavily used by local groups, some up to 3 00 persons.

Hiking and Backcountry Use

Some 42 miles of trails exist in the monument at thepresent time. Trails range in length and difficultyfrom nearly level trails of less than half a mile inlength to strenuous backcountry trails of over 6 milesin length. This system provided access to floors ofseveral major canyons, Monument Mesa and The Black Ridgearea. Several trails constructed during the John Ottoera of the monument that have fallen into disrepair arebeing considered for improvement and reopening.

Hiking is popular primarily in the spring and fall.During summer, high temperatures and biting midges inthe early summer severely curtail use. During 1987,6,581 registered hikers used the trails. Actual use wasalmost certainly much higher. Although hiking is doneprimarily on the established trail system, visitorsaren't restricted to the trails and may use any of themonument for hiking.

Overnight backcountry use is very limited, probably dueto the size of the monument, its proximity to town andits lack of water. In 1987, 75 overnight backcountrystays were recorded.

Cross-country skiing has recently become increasinglypopular in winters with sufficient snowfall. Mostcross-country use is on the Black Ridge and Liberty Captrails.

Horseback riders make use of the lower Monument CanyonTrail, the Black Ridge Trail and the upper Liberty CapTrail.

Rock Climbing

Rock climbing on the cliffs and spires of the monumentis engaged in primarily by a few local enthusiasts,though the monument has been written up in some climbingpublications and occasionally is the focus of non-localclimbers. Seventy-nine registered climbers used themonument in 1987. Many more climbed in the monument butdid not register.

18

E. Facilities and Equipment Analysis

1. Non-historic Roads and Trails

Park roads include 26 miles of paved and 1 of unpavedroadway. The major public use roadway is the 23-milelong Rim Rock Drive (listed on the LCS and beingnominated to The National Register) which providesaccess to viewpoints, trailheads, picnic andcampgrounds, and the visitor center. The road conditionranges from fair to good. The east four miles of theRim Rock Drive and the two miles of the East Glade ParkRoad receive heavy commuter traffic and truck trafficresulting in significantly higher maintenance costs.Road design often does not meet modern standards.

Twenty-seven parking areas and viewpoints make most ofthe monument's scenic attractions visible and accessibleto visitors.

Some 4 2 miles of trails exist in the monument at thepresent time. Trails range in length and difficultyfrom nearly level trails of less than half a mile inlength to strenuous backcountry trails of over 6 milesin length. This system provides access to floors ofseveral major canyons, Monument Mesa and The Black Ridgearea. Several trails constructed during the John Ottoera of the monument that have fallen into disrepair arebeing considered for improvement and reopening.

2. Non-historic Buildings and Facilities

There are approximately 3 non-historic buildings andother structures in the monument including the visitorcenter/administrative office, restrooms, maintenancefacilities, and residences. Employee residences consistof five single family residences, a duplex and a four-unit apartment building.

3. Utility Systems

The Ute Water Conservancy District provides domesticwater to Colorado National Monument at the monument'snorth boundary near the Fruita entrance and to thedevelopments near the Grand Junction entrance. The NPSowns and operates the water treatment and distributionsystems within the monument. The system meets allhealth standards.

Sewage from the headquarters developments is collectedvia mains and four lift stations, and treated in an

19

aerated lagoon. East side sewage is treated by means ofseptic tanks and leach fields.

Electric power is provided by . Grand Valley RuralElectric for west entrance and headquarters developmentsand by Public Service of Colorado for east entrancedevelopments

.

The NPS owns the internal telephone systems and externallines within the monument servicing the headquartersdevelopments

.

The monument has an adequate radio system.

4 . Historic Structures

Nine historic properties are identified on themonument's List of Classified Structures, includingeight stone buildings constructed by the CivilianConservation Corps and the remnants of an abandonedroadway — the Trail of the Serpent — that wasconstructed by volunteer labor between 1913 and 1920.Seven of the structures are located near headquarters,including:

1. Caretaker's Residence2. Caretaker's Garage3. Campground Comfort Station4

.

Roads and Trails Shop5. Buildings and Utilities Shop6. Vehicle and Equipment Storage Shed7. Oil House

Together, these structures comprise the SaddlehornHistoric District, which was nominated in early 1987 forinclusion on the National Register of Historic Places.For the most part, the exterior appearance of structuresin the Saddlehorn District is historically accurate, butinteriors have been extensively modified to adapt themfor modern work practices.

Located near the monument's East Entrance are the DevilsKitchen Picnic Shelter and a surviving 2.5-mile sectionof the Trail of the Serpent. Each property has beennominated for inclusion on the National Register.

Among historic properties that have not been nominatedare the Gordon Toll Road (ca 1884) , the Fruita Dugway(ca 1884) , the Fruita Waterline (ca 1906 - 1936) , theCorkscrew and other recreational trails, and the remainsof a trail-side springhouse and numerous homesteadstructures that are considered to be moldering ruins.

20

Of these, only the Fruita Waterline and a few of thehomestead structures have been recorded.

5. Major Equipment

The monument utilizes both GSA vehicles and agency-ownedvehicles. GSA vehicles include one station wagon, threepickups and a dumptruck. Agency-owned vehicles includefour law enforcement sedans, a van, a pickup, a roadgrader, a backhoe and two front-end loaders.

F. Status of Planning

PLAN/STUDY

Master Plan

Natural Resource Management COLMPlan and FONSI (revision indraft)

Cultural Resource Management COLMPlan

Interpretive Prospectus

Statement for Interpretation

Wilderness Recommendation

Documented Safety Plan

Search and Rescue Plan

Structural Fire Plan

PREPARER APPROVED ADEQUACY

RMR,COLM

DSC, 4/16/76 Outdated

COLM 6/27/83 Outdated

COLM Final2/88

Adequate

RMR,COLM

HFC, In-draft

COLM 1/88 Adequate

WSC 5/71 Adequate

COLM In-draft

COLM 6/15/87 Adequate

COLM 2/85 Adequate

G. Existing Management Zoning

Colorado National Monument is managed primarily as anatural zone. The majority of the parklands is thusfurther classified as wilderness subzone to reflect themonument's wilderness proposal, and as a naturalenvironment subzone which surrounds three sides of thewilderness area. The wilderness subzone is beingmanaged to protect the wilderness values in accordancewith wilderness management policies.

21

Two areas are classified and managed as developmentsubzones. The major development concentration near thewest entrance consists of the Saddlehorn area, whichincludes the visitor center, residential area,administrative offices, campground and picnic area. Theeast entrance consists of a ranger station, residences,a small shop, and picnic area.

The monument includes two historic zones. Themaintenance shops were constructed by CCC-era crews andthe entire maintenance area is managed as a historiczone. The Serpent's Trail is a historic zone. Numerouscultural sites scattered throughout the monument aremanaged so as to preserve their integrity.

Natural Zone 4,909 acres 24%Wilderness Subzone 15,136 acres 74%

Development Zone 4 09 acres 2%

Historic Zone acres 0%

TOTAL 20,454 acres 100%

22

to Frulta

park H.Q.

to GrandJunction

legend *•

- national monument boundary

Note: Monument is primarily

managed as natural zone.Historic zones are notshown-see narrative.

development subzone

wilderness subzone

natural environment subzone

to G/ade Park

Existing Management Zoning

Colorado National MonumentU.S. Dept. of the Interior - National Park Service

1 19 I 80,033

May 88 I RMRO

IV. MAJOR ISSUES

1. Citizen action in recent months has revived thequestion of expanding the monument to includepublic lands west of the current boundary, andredesignating it as a "national park" . Primaryfocus is on lands included within the Black RidgeWilderness Study Areas.

2. The town of Fruita operates a 50-year-old waterpipeline that runs from Pinon Mesa to thesouthwest and crosses Colorado National Monumentfor 6 miles. The monument portion of the pipelinewas owned and operated by the NPS until 1977 toprovide water to the monument. The NPS notifiedFruita in 1981 that the existing pipeline was of nofurther use to the Service and that it belonged tothe town as a revocable permitted use. The noticestated that Fruita could continue to use thepipeline, and repair or reconstruction could becarried out as long as it was done in anenvironmentally acceptable manner.

Although the town now obtains water from othersources, they continue to explore ways to utilizetheir water rights on Pinon Mesa. Mostalternatives would involve the waterline routethrough the monument.

3. The 1986 U.S. Court decision regarding the east endof the Rim Rock Drive left maintenance an NPSresponsibility and reaffirmed the authority of theService to regulate traffic along this roadsegment. There is still minor opposition on theparts of some through-travelers about having tostop at the entrance station stop sign. Theyconsider the requirement to be an infringement ontheir rights. Any action by the Service to furtherregulate traffic by imposing weight or lengthlimitations for safety and maintenance reasonswould result in significant local controversy.

4

.

The Gary Refining Company near Fruita has emittedpollutants that affected the air quality in theGrand Valley (a non-attainment area for totalsuspended particulates) and the monument airshed(designated Federal Class II/State Category I withregard to air quality protection) . The ColoradoState Air Quality Control Commission indicated theybelieved the refinery was exceeding the standardsfor S02 over Colorado National Monument. The plantis shut down at this time due to a general decline

24

in the petroleum industry; therefore, the topic ofS02 emissions from the plant is presently a deadissue, and will be until the unit is started upagain.

5. Energy development proposals around the monumenthave the potential for air quality impacts.Developments closer to the monument, such as thecoal-fired power plant proposed near Mack, wouldalso result in visual intrusions into themonument's viewshed. These proposals are alldormant at present but will likely become activeagain when the price of energy increases.

6. A stage of the Coors International Bicycle Classichas been hosted by Grand Junction for six years.The race has included two laps through ColoradoNational Monument, necessitating the closure of thepark road for up to 3 hours. In 1985, acontroversy erupted over the organizers' decisionto expand the race to three laps, resulting in anextended road closure. Subsequent negotiationsreduced the length once again to two laps and therace was held without incident in 1986 and 1987,though informal discussion of a longer race hascontinued. The Service has continued to hold theposition that a longer race would have anunacceptable impact upon non-race monumentvisitors.

7. A variety of adjacent land uses impact or have thepotential to impact the monument. Powerline andcommunications towers along the monument's westboundary are visual intrusions. Approximately 40%of the monument boundary is bordered by privatelands. During the last 15 years, much of that landhas undergone residential and commercialdevelopment. Much of the remaining open land willlikely be developed in the future. Development hascut off traditional hiker accesses, created avisual intrusion in the monument's viewshed,resulted in non-natural noise and free-roaming andferal pets.

V. MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES

Better protect monument resources by working with othersto integrate management of natural resources and humanneeds in the area surrounding the monument and toprovide leadership in the communication and promotion ofNPS, monument and conservation values.

25

1. Cooperate with individuals, groups and agencies inpreservation and management of surrounding lands:

a. Black Ridge WSA and other BLM lands to thewest of the monument and possible studies ofthose lands for inclusion in Colorado NationalMonument

.

b. Close cooperation with Mesa County andproperty owners along the Redlands area tominimize impacts of urban and suburbandevelopment on Colorado National Monument.

2. Continue close participation with Colorado Divisionof Wildlife and BLM on peregrine falcon and bighornsheep programs.

3. Be an active participant in BLM, Mesa County andother planning processes in the region that havethe potential of affecting Colorado NationalMonument

.

Identify and develop mutually beneficial relationshipswith others who affect or are affected by the monumentand to strengthen the monument's role as a positiveforce that contributes to the well-being of the region,the State, the nation and the world.

1. Encourage the cooperative arrangement with theColorado National Monument Association to continueproviding the public with interpretive publicationsand the NPS with assistance in educational,interpretive, research, and other programs.

2

.

Cooperate with the Museum of Western Colorado andother public agencies and constituent organizationsto promote preservation and understanding ofmonument resources and a conservation ethic in thecommunity.

3. Increase public awareness and understanding ofmonument and NPS programs and policies through anexpanded outreach program with programs andparticipation in community and agency functionssurrounding Colorado National Monument. Broadenthe scope of outreach activities to include a fullrange of interest groups.

4. Develop proactive relationships with the media.

5. Actively participate with regional tourism groupsto provide an understanding of the opportunities

26

available at Colorado National Monument and in theNPS. Work cooperatively in the development of aprogressive regional tourism program. Increasepublic and industry awareness of Colorado NationalMonument as a part of a larger, regional recreationbase.

6. Enhance our relationship with local, county, andState officials, and the Congressional delegation.

Identify, interpret and protect the monument'ssignificant cultural and natural resources. Manage theresources to restore and protect the naturallyfunctioning ecosystem, while recognizing man and man'scultural remains as a part of this system.

1. Complete Natural Resource Management Plan and useit and the Cultural Resource Management Plan asprimary guides in managing the monument'sresources.

2. Complete inventory and assessments of eligibilityfor all historic features. Develop long-range planfor completion of a comprehensive survey ofarcheological resources within the monument.

3. Develop additional interpretive materials relatingto the monument's human history.

4. Bring the museum collections into conformance withNPS standards for cataloging, storage, and care.Upgrade the standard of management and maintenanceof the monument's library.

5. Allow natural processes to progress unlessthreatened or endangered species must receivespecial management for survival.

6. Make resource management, which is related to everymonument activity, a total monument effort by everymonument employee. Provide encouragement,guidance, and recognition for these efforts.

7. Develop and implement a system for baselinedevelopment and monitoring, incorporating andcontinuing those efforts already in place. Ageographic information system and resourceinformation tracking system will be utilized whereappropriate.

8. As feasible, reintroduce or augment populations ofspecies extirpated or diminished because of man's

27

actions.

9. Contain, control, or eliminate non-native plantsand animals as feasible utilizing Integrated PestManagement concepts

.

10. Evaluate and act on rehabilitation needs in heavyvisitor use areas, such as trailsides, pullouts,vista points, campgrounds, and picnic areas.

11. Perpetuate the integrity of natural and culturalresources.

12. Develop a wildlife observation reporting andtracking system.

13. Analyze and monitor the status and trends ofmonument air quality, and participate proactivelyin regional and community planning to protect airquality values. Continue to seek an upgrade in airquality classification for the monument from ClassII to Class I.

14. Expand cooperative research activities throughagreements with universities and others.

Provide the facilities and services needed for visitorsto experience monument resources and to understand thenatural process involved in the formation andfunctioning of Colorado National Monument.

1. Encourage contemplative and non-consumptive usewhile providing the visitor with a uniqueexperience that is characterized by a high degreeof personal involvement and freedom in selectingactivities. Recognize that Colorado NationalMonument is a unique landscape in and of itself,and by virtue of its location at the edge of theColorado Plateau, is uniquely situated to introducevisitors traveling west to the many parks of theColorado Plateau.

2. Provide facilities and programs that recognize thespecial needs and capabilities of all visitors.Complete accessibility surveys and implementcorrective actions to integrate the disabled andelderly into primary visitor activity areas.Insure that new construction and significantremodeling comply with Federal accessibilitystandards.

3. Develop and maintain a well-designed and managed

28

trail system as an integral part of the monumentaccess and circulation system. Recognize that theroad system is fully developed, and maintain it foryear-round visitor use.

4. Recognize that risk is inherent in the use of themonument. Give the monument visitor informationconcerning the risk associated with the variousactivities in the monument.

5. Interpretation will have geologic features andtheir formation as the primary theme, with flora,fauna, cultural history and prehistory, regionalnatural history as coegual secondary themes. Allprogramming will emphasize the function of naturalsystems with man as an integral part of the system.Interpretive programming will aim to instillunderstanding and appreciation of the monument'sresources and develop public support forpreservation

.

6. Implement a program of emergency preparedness thatincludes development and maintenance of in-housecapabilities and close cooperation of neighboringlaw enforcement and emergency response agencies.

7. Crime prevention and physical security will have ahigh priority among all monument operations.Prevention will be emphasized to employees andvisitors.

8. Maintain maximum reasonable service at entrancestations and visitor center through adjustingschedules to cover visitor use patterns.

9. Provide a level of facility operation andmaintenance that preserves the capital investmentand offers a standard of maintenance that isacceptable to the majority of visitors.

10. Develop information and training programs thatensure that monument employees understand visitorservice and resource management issues involved inthe operation of the monument as well as thetechnical aspects of their jobs.

11. Maintain an atmosphere where monument employees areopen to and approachable by visitors and encouragepersonal interaction between visitors and staff.

12. Operate and maintain monument utility systems toprovide efficient service to both visitor and

29

administrative needs.

13. Operate, maintain and improve the monumentbuildings and other visitor and administrative usestructures to provide the visitor with a highquality experience.

Build internal efficiency and effectiveness intomonument operations, bring employee performance to fullpotential, and provide support for the accomplishment ofstrategic goals.

1. Develop a staff that functions as a unified andcohesive team which fosters creativity, employeeinitiative, efficiency, and effectiveness in themanagement and administration of Colorado NationalMonument. Identify and resolve internal controldeficiencies. Use the full potential of staffresources by reducing organizational constraintsand conveying a feeling of openness to employeeinput, and recognizing and promoting theprofessionalism of individual employees.

2. Have a clear awareness of the monument's missionand management direction. Communicate mission andmanagement direction to employees and the public.

3. Provide a training program which will enable allemployees to develop job skills, assist careerdevelopment, and encourage achievement. Componentsinclude: a cost-effective training program,identification of employee development needs, anequitable incentive awards program, and improvedperformance standards and evaluations.

4. Maintain government furnished homes to providecomfortable and safe housing as needed.

5. Identify and strengthen internal controls toprevent waste, fraud, or abuse and to ensure thesecurity of public property.

6. Develop an ADP policy so that data is properlymanaged and hardware and software acquisition fitinto a properly managed, integrated system. Expandthe ADP system to reach all appropriate monumentoffices.

7. Implement a maintenance management system thatmeets the requirement of the NPS and the monumentby efficiently providing accurate information for

30

monument maintenance management decisions.

8. Better articulate funding needs by establishingclear goals and support funding requests withplanning, consistent priorities, and well developedjustifications.

9. Implement programs to encourage qualified personsand organizations to participate in volunteerefforts that will benefit the monument.

10. Emphasize programs and work practices that resultin increased safety in the workplace.

31

u U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1988—575-643/85,155 REGION NO 8

NPS D-26