Four Corners residents want national monument status for Chimney Rock

Comments from more than 100 Four Corners residents who want Chimney Rock designated as a national monument now head to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar’s desk for consideration after a local meeting Friday. The U.S. Forest Service convened a public meeting in Pagosa Springs to hear from people on whether to designate the 4,700-acre archeological site. The hearing was also attended by Sen. Michael Bennet, Pagosa Mayor Ross Aragon, members of the Archuleta County Board of Commissioners and area tribal leaders from the Southern Ute and Zuni Pueblo tribes. Rep. Scott Tipton, R-Cortez, was also there. The area can be designated through a presidential proclamation or an act of Congress. The area could still be used for hunting, cattle grazing and tribal activities. “The clear message from the local community is that they just want this done—whether through legislation or through presidential proclamation, they want to see this site get the protection and recognition it deserves” Bennet said, in a statement. “I’m grateful for all the comments we heard, and I look forward to continuing to work with the U.S. Forest Service and in the Senate so we can get this done for Southwest Colorado.”...more