Colorado National Monument Association’s 60th Anniversary Fundraiser

This year, Colorado National Monument Association (CNMA) celebrated an incredible milestone—60 years of dedication to preserving and supporting the beautiful Colorado National Monument. To mark this special occasion, we hosted our biggest fundraiser yet, A Monumental Celebration, on September 25th at the stunning Monument Vista Place (MVP).

The venue itself was as much a highlight as the event. MVP, built by Stephen and Mai Oachs, resembles a castle perched among the monument’s striking red rock landscape. Designed specifically for events like this, the house offers stunning views from every angle and features captivating artistic touches like metal animal sculptures and gorgeous lighting. It truly set the tone for a night of celebration and community.

This event was the culmination of many months of planning and would not have been possible without the dedication and hard work of our fundraising committee, many of whom are volunteers. From the very start, the overwhelming support from our community made all the difference. We are deeply grateful for the help we received from local organizations like Eureka! McConnell Science Museum and HopeWest, whose involvement underscored just how connected and committed our community is to preserving the Colorado National Monument.

As the event approached, people began trickling in, and before we knew it, we had a full house! Shuttles ran every 15 minutes from Dinosaur Journey to ensure everyone got to MVP in time to enjoy the evening. The shuttle service and Dinosaur Museum made transportation smooth and seamless, and our parking volunteers did a fantastic job braving the heat to ensure everything ran smoothly. The excitement and energy were palpable, and it was clear that this evening was going to be special.

Guests were treated to a night filled with delicious food catered by Hillbilly Catering, lively music from the Hot House West Jazz Band, and an exciting silent auction. What made the auction even more special was that almost all of the items were generously donated by local people, businesses, and nonprofits, showcasing once again the incredible community support that made this event possible.

The atmosphere was fun and festive, made even more so by the swing dancers who gave a surprise performance, adding a dynamic and unexpected twist to the evening. Our bartenders, including one of our dedicated board members, worked tirelessly throughout the night, helping guests enjoy the evening to the fullest. We are so grateful for their energy and enthusiasm.

The evening featured speeches from key figures who have been instrumental in supporting the monument’s preservation. Johanna van Waveren, Executive Director of CNMA, spoke about the organization’s journey over the last 60 years, and Nathan Souder, Superintendent of the Colorado National Monument, shared his thoughts on the future of the monument and the importance of community support. We also heard from two other NPS employees, Kait Thomas, Chief of Interpretation, and Raven Patrick, Park Ranger, who offered insights into the ongoing conservation efforts and educational programs at the monument.

One of the evening’s biggest highlights was the attendance of Don Perkins from Kinder Morgan, our Title Sponsor. His presence underscored the deep commitment Kinder Morgan has to supporting CNMA and the monument’s future.

To close out the night, we passed out delicious desserts from Enstrom’s, which were a huge hit with all the guests, adding a sweet finale to a truly monumental evening.

The support we received from the community was overwhelming in the best way possible. It was a true testament to the deep-rooted love people have for the Colorado National Monument and the efforts to preserve it for generations to come. We simply could not have accomplished this event without the many volunteers, board members, and donors who stepped up to help CNMA. Quite literally, we couldn’t have done it without them.

This event was not just a fundraiser—it was a powerful reminder of the community that surrounds us. It’s one thing to talk about preserving our monument, but it’s something entirely different to see people come together in such a meaningful way to make that vision a reality. This night was about more than raising funds—it was about celebrating the strength, dedication, and generosity of a community that is committed to the legacy of the monument.

Thanks to the matching grant provided by the Western Colorado Community Foundation (WCCF), every dollar raised up to $60,000 was matched, doubling the impact of every contribution. The funds raised will directly support trail work, educational programming, and conservation efforts, ensuring the monument’s legacy for future generations.

Stay tuned for 2025 events and ways to support the Colorado National Monument Association. Join our newsletter and stay up to date on future fundraising, programs, and goings-on.

This evening, and this monumental 60th year would not have been possible without our Title sponsor, Kinder Morgan, our Sandstone sponsor, Alpine Bank, our Granite sponsors, Christi Reece Group, Shaw Construction, Community Hospital, Primary Care Partners, City of Fruita, and High Desert Floral Design, our incredible volunteers, the NPS staff, and all of the wonderful people who were table hosts and attendees at A Monumental Celebration. We are endlessly grateful for each and every person who played a part in making this event happen. Together, we accomplished something truly monumental.