Because of the federal government shutdown, Mesa Verde National Park has closed with the exception of the main road as of Wednesday morning, according to a park entrance attendant.
Mesa Verde’s partial closure arrives under a federal shutdown owing to lawmakers who have hit a standstill on the government’s budget.
Loop roads, the Mesa Verde Museum and visitor center are all closed, the park attendant, who asked to remain anonymous, told The Journal. The attendant added he remains present at the park because he is an essential worker, but others have been furloughed, he said. He was notifying travelers of the closure as they arrived at the gate.
Tours are also canceled. Hiking trails are closed, but uncertainty remains around campgrounds.
The main road, about 20 miles through the park, is open and free of charge, the attendant said.
A park attendant will remain present at the entrance, but hours for the entryway will depend on staffing.
Bureau of Land Management Tres Rios Field Office is awaiting further instructions as for how the government shutdown will impact them.
“We're still working through our orderly shutdown,” said Derek Padilla, field manager of the office. “We're uncertain exactly what that is going look like."
Canyons of the Ancients National Monument is temporarily halting “all volunteer activities, events, and programs” at the museum, according to an email from Jennifer Humphreys, visitor center manager.
“Federal employees who manage this program are in a non-duty, non-pay status and cannot provide services, including responding to emails or phone calls,” the email read.
In New Mexico, A Tri-City Record reporter also confirmed that Chaco Canyon, Salmon Ruins and Aztec Ruins are shutting down.
This is a developing story and updates will be provided.
Benjamin Rubin, a staff writer for The Journal, contributed reporting to this article.
