Join us to Commemorate the 100 Year Anniversary

Date: May 9, 2011

Step into History and Join us at the Monument to Commemorate the 100 Year Anniversary Saturday, May 21 at 11:00am.

Featured speakers and special guests will commemorate this special occasion and include United States Senator Mark Udall, 
United States Congressman Scott Tipton, Colorado State Representative Laura Bradford, Northern Ute Tribal Elder Clifford Duncan,
Storyteller/re-enactor John Stansfield as John Otto, and National Park Service Intermountain Regional Director John Wessels. Colorado National Monument Superintendent Joan Anzelmo will serve as Master of Ceremonies.

Program highlights will include the keynote address by United States Senator Mark Udall, a reenactment of John Otto, and an exclusive musical performance by the Grand Junction Symphony.

Immediately following the ceremony join us for the grand opening of the park's new visitor center exhibits.The new exhibits will feature many state of the art elements that highlight the Geology, Colorado Plateau, Pinyon-Juniper Woodland, Ute Indians, John Otto, and the Road Building Era, and will replace the original 47 year old exhibits.

Parking for the event will be available only at Saddlehorn Picnic Area and Saddlehorn Campground Loops. -Staff will direct cars to parking spaces – carpooling is encouraged-   Shuttle buses will be available to transport attendees from the parking areas to the Visitor Center.

For anyone planning to attend the ceremony you must arrive at the West Entrance Station beginning at 9:30am and no later than 10:15am to be able to drive up the west hill, park and get to the Visitor Center for seating for the event. Open seating will be available beginning at 10:00am. When seating is full there will be standing room just outside the tent with video and sound placed outside the tent. Anyone planning to attend the ceremony and entering at the west entrance station will be guests of the Monument and no entrance fees will be charged.

Special reserved parking for disabled visitors will be available at the Visitor Center.

In addition to parking at the Monument, free shuttle buses will be provided at the Dinosaur Journey Parking Lot in Fruita (taking the shuttle is encouraged).The free shuttle buses will transportattendees from the Dinosaur JourneyParking Lot in Fruita starting at 9:30am through 10:15am (last bus departs at 10:15am).Return shuttle buses will leave the Visitor Center Parking Lot starting at 1:30pm (last bus departs Visitor Center at 2:30pm).

2:30pm - 3:30pm
Colorado National Monument, Celebrating 100 years of John Otto's Dream (Rocky Mountain PBS Documentary).   Join us in the auditorium for a special showing of this beautiful documentary.

4:00pm
Canyon Carving Forces
Join ranger and geologist, Don Regan, to explore the story of erosion in this constantly changing landscape. 30 minute talk on the Visitor Center back porch.

A complete description of the May 21st Centennial Celebration and other information regarding additional centennial events is available at www.nps.gov/colm or call [phone], Ext. 360.