PAGOSA SPRINGS – If a forum here about designating Chimney Rock Archeological Area a national monument is any indication, most people think it’s a good idea.

“Our core values started here,” said Joseph Suina, a leader in the Cochiti Pueblo in New Mexico. “There are a lot of outside influences on our lives, but we continue with ceremonies that explain ongoing cultural traits that make this place special to us.”

The Native American archaeological site, identifiable by its twin spires, encompasses 4,000 acres and was home to the ancestors of modern Pueblo Indians. The site has immense spiritual significance and every 18.6 years, the moon rises between the spires in an event called the Major Lunar Standstill.

Chimney Rock was nominated for national monument status by Colorado’s U.S. Sens. Michael Bennett and Mark Udall in 2010. U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton, R-Cortez, introduced similar legislation in 2011.

Tipton was the featured speaker of Monday’s forum, “The Cultural and Economic Values of a Chimney Rock National Monument.” He pledged to work for the approval of monument designation for Chimney Rock.

The ultimate goal of the federal legislation is to preserve and restore the cultural, natural and educational resources of the site.

Mark Varien, chairman of research at the Crow Canyon Archaeological Center, said Chimney Rock saw population growth and cultural changes that rivaled the later industrial revolution.

“This is a unique place,” Varien said.

Neither Udall or Bennet were able to attend the forum.

But John Whitney, Bennet’s regional director, read a statement from the senator. It said in part:

“Chimney Rock is an incredible historical and cultural site that is still in search of formal recognition worthy of its stature. This bill will not only protect this amazing resource but will also provide increased tourism and economic development in Southwest Colorado.

“We have made substantial progress on this bill over the last few years, including passing it out of the Senate Energy Committee at the end of 2010. I hope that broad bipartisan support will enable us to pass this into law.”

Ed Morlan and Donna Graves from the Region 9 Economic Development District said monument status could only strengthen the appeal of Chimney Rock.

The archaeological site already is high on the list of must-see places of visitors here, they said.

Morlan and Graves cited a study that found if 8 percent of the 300,000 annual visitors here stayed one more night, an extra $3.8 million would be generated annually.

The additional time of the visitors would create 45 jobs and produce $1.2 million in job earnings annually, they said.

A panel of local officials answered questions at the end of the forum.

Mark Stiles, superintendent of the San Juan National Forest and one of the panelists, said it appears Chimney Rock would remain part of the national forest, and permitted activities such as livestock grazing and hunting would be allowed.

daler@durangoherald.com