Not one, but TWO famed Colorado public land icons are celebrating 100-year birthdays in 2015. Dinosaur National Monument turns 100 years old on October 4, 2015, and visitors to Rocky Mountain National Park will have a chance to share birthday cake with park rangers on Jan. 26.
Both parks are inviting the public to join in the celebrations with a series of special events.
The creation of Dinosaur National Monument — at first just 80 acres — set aside land to protect "an extraordinary deposit of Dinosaurian and other gigantic reptilian remains of the Jurassic period."
A second proclamation in 1938 recognized the surrounding area's spectacular scenery, geology, ecology, and rich cultural history and expanded Dinosaur National Monument from 80 acres to over 210,000 acres, spanning the Utah-Colorado border.
Celebrations at Dinosaur National Monument are scheduled from April through October 2015. Individuals and organizations are invited to share how they think the Dinosaur Centennial could be celebrated and how they might like to be involved.
The Dinosaur Centennial Partner Invitation form is available on-line at http://www.nps.gov/dino/planyourvisit/dino100.htm or by request at (435) 781-7700. The submission deadline is February 14, 2015 to ensure inclusion in initial promotional efforts. A detailed schedule of events taking place in and around the monument will be available in early spring.
One simple way to start celebrating now is to bring your family and friends to the monument. The $20 Dinosaur Annual Pass pays for itself after only two visits and this year's pass features the Dinosaur Centennial logo to help get you in the spirit. Passes are available for purchase at the Quarry Visitor Center, open 9 am to 5 pm daily.
"The artwork for the Dinosaur Centennial logo contains symbols of the great diversity of life and landscapes here and offers a taste of what visitors can experience at the monument today," said Monument Superintendent Mark Foust. "This anniversary is a perfect excuse to remind ourselves why Dinosaur is such a special place, re-connect for ourselves, share these stories with others, and kick-start a second century of stewardship."
For more information about the Dinosaur Centennial, visit the centennial webpage or contact Sonya Popelka by email or at (435) 781-7701. For more information about Dinosaur National Monument in general, call (435) 781-7700 follow DinosaurNPS on Facebook or twitter.
At Rocky Mountain National Park, the celebrations are already under way, culminating with free cake Jan. 26 with park staff starting at noon at the Beaver Meadows and Kawuneeche Visitor Centers to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the signing of the legislation that created Rocky Mountain National Park back in 1915.
More RMNP events
January 17: Rocky Mountain National Park's Centennial Film Release
Comejoin Rocky Mountain National Park, the Rocky Mountain Conservancy, and Fall River Productions for the release of the new Centennial Film Rocky Mountain National Park: Wilderness, Wildlife, Wonder at 7:00 p.m. at the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center. A small reception will follow the screening.
January 18: The Town of Estes Park presents a Rocky Mountain National Park Birthday Celebration
Celebrate the 100th Birthday of Rocky Mountain National Park with cake and a viewing of the new Centennial Film by Fall River Productions at 2:00 p.m. at the Estes Park Winter Festival. Fun events will take place at the Festival all weekend including live music, chili tastings, local Colorado wine and beer tastings, equipment demos, and short programs on fun winter recreational opportunities in Rocky Mountain National Park.
January 24: Centennial Speaker Series –Dr. James Pickering
Join the Historian Laureate of Estes Park at 7:00 p.m. at the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center for his reflections on Enos Mills and the creation of Rocky Mountain National Park.
January 24 –March 29: History as Art: Rocky Mountain National Park
This exhibit at the Loveland Museum and Gallery Interprets historical objects through the use of art in order to promote engagement with creative and critical thinking. Using objects from the parks' museum collection, artists interpret the objects and the park's rich 100 year history through their artwork.
January 24 –May 2: Harold Dunning's World View
This exhibit at the Loveland Museum and Gallery features personal items and photos from Harold Dunning, the founder of the Museum, and an avid outdoorsman who climbed Longs Peak one hundred times! This exhibit will also feature accompanying programs about Dunning and also about climbing and hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park.
January 24 : Boulder Theater – RMNP 100th Anniversary Celebration
Join the National Parks Conservation Association and Rocky Mountain Conservancy at the Boulder Theater on January 24, 6:30 p.m. and see the park in a whole new light. The program features a presentation by Eric Stensland, acclaimed Rocky Mountain photogrpaher and auther of Wild Lights and the Front Range premiere of the park's Cetnennial Film. The celebration includes live music, a silent auction a raffle drawing and more! Tickets are available from the Boulder Theater. Proceeds benefit the National Parks Conservation Association and Rocky Mountain Conservancy.
January 26: Cake!
Join park staff starting at noon at the Beaver Meadows and Kawuneeche Visitor Centers for birthday cake (while it lasts!) to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the signing of the legislation that created Rocky Mountain National Park back in 1915.
January 26: Pioneers of the Peaks: Local Climbers Who Made History
"Zoomin' with Zumie" presented by Drs. Tom Hornbein and Jim Detterline. For several decades, a small group of men and women made history exploring and ascending the summits surrounding the Estes Valley. In 2013 and 2014, the Estes Park Museum and the Estes Valley Library gathered their inspiring stories. This presentation is at 7:00 p.m. at the Estes Park Museum and will highlight the life and climbs of Clerin "Zumie" Zumwalt.
January 26: Grand Lake Centennial Film Debut
Come join Rocky Mountain National Park, the Rocky Mountain Conservancy, and the Grand Lake Women's Club for a viewing of the new Centennial Film Rocky Mountain National Park: Wilderness, Wildlife, Wonder at 5:30 p.m. at the Grand Lake Community House.A small reception will follow the screening.
January 26: Grand Lake Nordic Center
Come celebrate with amazing views, free Nordic skiing, and 100th Anniversary memorabilia!
January 31: Centennial Saturday Night Programs
The first in a series of fun Saturday Night family ranger programs at 7:00 p.m. at the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center. The programs will celebrate various aspects of the park's wilderness, wildlife, and wonder. In tonight's program escape the winter weather and discover Rocky's Wildflowers: More than Just a Pretty Face!
For more details on these events, pay a visit to Rocky Mountain National Park's 2015 Centennial Calendar of Events on the park's website at www.nps.gov/romo.
Check the park website regularly or follow us on social media @Rockynps for updates on 100th Anniversary events and programs! For more information about Rocky Mountain National Park please call the park's Information Office at (970) 586-1206.
Filed in Colorado News |