/tags/national-parks National Parks en-US Copyright KUNC/Community Radio for Northern Colorado 2020 Fri, 13 Sep 2024 22:12:51 GMT /2024-09-13/national-park-visitors-spent-5-billion-in-gateway-towns-in-our-region-last-year Those tourism dollars often help keep local economies running, but there’s also major stresses on infrastructure that is not built to withstand the crowds. Fri, 13 Sep 2024 22:12:51 GMT /2024-09-13/national-park-visitors-spent-5-billion-in-gateway-towns-in-our-region-last-year Hanna Merzbach /2024-08-26/national-park-ranger-staff-shrinking-despite-rising-visitation New data shows that the number of rangers patrolling U.S. national parks is at its lowest level this century. This comes at a time when park visitation is rising and so are search-and-rescue calls. Mon, 26 Aug 2024 22:44:22 GMT /2024-08-26/national-park-ranger-staff-shrinking-despite-rising-visitation Kaleb Roedel /news/2024-08-26/us-national-parks-are-receiving-record-high-gift-of-100m The official nonprofit organization of the National Park Service is set to receive the largest grant in its history. It's a $100 million gift the fundraising group described as transformative for the country's national parks. Mon, 26 Aug 2024 15:20:52 GMT /news/2024-08-26/us-national-parks-are-receiving-record-high-gift-of-100m Patrick Whittle, Associated Press /regional-news/2024-08-09/visiting-a-national-park-this-initiative-asks-you-donate-to-indigenous-peoples-who-call-them-home A new project asks travelers to donate to tribes whose homelands and sacred sites are occupied by parks and monuments. The goal is to compensate tribes connected to the land and to educate visitors. Fri, 09 Aug 2024 21:40:12 GMT /regional-news/2024-08-09/visiting-a-national-park-this-initiative-asks-you-donate-to-indigenous-peoples-who-call-them-home Rachel Cohen /2024-04-15/social-media-more-visitors-national-parks-mountain-west-study Social media can influence everything from what we eat to where we vacation. Now, a new study shows it’s also driving more visitors to U.S. national parks, especially in the Mountain West. Mon, 15 Apr 2024 20:07:10 GMT /2024-04-15/social-media-more-visitors-national-parks-mountain-west-study Kaleb Roedel /2024-04-02/some-most-polluted-national-parks-mountain-west-report A new report shows air pollution is affecting most national parks across the U.S., including parts of the Mountain West. Tue, 02 Apr 2024 20:29:47 GMT /2024-04-02/some-most-polluted-national-parks-mountain-west-report Kaleb Roedel /2023-12-06/lawmakers-debate-air-tours-in-popular-national-parks Federal officials are debating how to balance the economics of scenic air tours with the serenity of popular national parks. A committee in the U.S. House of Representatives discussed commercial management plans in areas like Mt. Rushmore and Glacier National Park. Wed, 06 Dec 2023 19:07:15 GMT /2023-12-06/lawmakers-debate-air-tours-in-popular-national-parks Will Walkey /2023-12-01/bipartisan-bill-to-improve-public-lands-access-introduced-in-house Legislation to improve access to public lands and address issues related to rising usage has been introduced in the U.S. House. Mon, 04 Dec 2023 18:10:14 GMT /2023-12-01/bipartisan-bill-to-improve-public-lands-access-introduced-in-house Murphy Woodhouse /news/2023-09-30/gates-will-be-locked-and-thousands-of-rangers-furloughed-at-national-parks-if-government-shuts-down Gates will be locked and thousands of rangers will be furloughed from national park sites if Congress doesn't reach a budget agreement. But Arizona and Utah officials say they'll make sure visitors can still enjoy the Grand Canyon and Zion Valley if a cutoff comes Sunday. This year, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis directed the state's Department of Natural Resources to develop a plan to operate and protect resources at Rocky Mountain National Park and three others. Sat, 30 Sep 2023 12:00:00 GMT /news/2023-09-30/gates-will-be-locked-and-thousands-of-rangers-furloughed-at-national-parks-if-government-shuts-down Anita Snow, Associated Press /regional-news/2023-08-24/visitor-spending-near-national-parks-hits-all-time-high-boosting-economy A new report shows that visitors to national parks spent a record amount in surrounding communities last year, providing a major economic boost to those areas. Thu, 24 Aug 2023 19:37:38 GMT /regional-news/2023-08-24/visitor-spending-near-national-parks-hits-all-time-high-boosting-economy Emma VandenEinde