Why Colorado National Monument is Not a National Park

How Colorado National Monument Came to Be

It begins in 1906 with a consistent letter writing effort by John Otto and others, who supported the idea of protecting the canyons and rock formations found south of Grand Junction. The letters were sent to Washington, D.C. and President Taft signed the proclamation that established Colorado National Monument on May 24, 1911.

President Taft established Coloration National Monument with presidential proclamation No. 1126, under the authority of the Antiquities Act. It was set aside to protect its “extraordinary examples of weathering and erosion.”

The Antiquities Act was the first U.S. law, enacted in 1906, to provide general legal protection of cultural and natural resources of historic or scientific interest on Federal lands. It authorizes the president to establish a national monument at the president’s sole discretion and is created by the executive branch.

Why it is not a National Park

In order to become a National Park, Congress would need to pass legislation specifically to designate it as a park. This action is called an “Act of Congress” and is from the legislative branch of government. It would require a bill to be presented first and be passed through both houses with a majority and be signed into law by the president.

Since President Taft used the Antiquities Act to protect its natural value of the landscape and geologic features, it is designated a National Monument.

Colorado National Monument is managed by the Department of Interior’s National Park Service. This can sometimes lead to confusion since it is not designated a National Park, however they are very similar to one another. Again, the primary difference is in the way the public lands are established.

Where is the “Monument” in Colorado National Monument?

There is not a specific “monument” – obelisk, statue, or structure to visit within Colorado National Monument. In traveling through the monument, you are within it, experiencing the natural value of the geologic landforms and landscape.

There are many formations that are iconic to Colorado National Monument and well worth viewing either from a trail or one of the many viewpoints and overlooks on Rim Rock Drive:

• • • • Independence Monument
      • Monument Canyon
      • Balanced Rock
      • Coke Ovens

We hope on your next visit you’ll experience the “extraordinary examples of weathering and erosion” for yourself. They make this special place a geologic gem of the Colorado Plateau.