Mesa Verde Foundation

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Mesa Verde Foundation MVF is a non-profit philanthropic partner to Mesa Verde National Park, raising money to fund improve

The Mesa Verde Foundation (MVF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, philanthropic partner to Mesa Verde National Park. Its mission is "to fund capital improvements, projects and educational endeavors for Mesa Verde National Park that promote an understanding of its cultural and natural resources."

Today is International Day of Disaster Risk Reduction.Wildfire is one of the greatest disaster risks facing Mesa Verde N...
10/13/2026

Today is International Day of Disaster Risk Reduction.

Wildfire is one of the greatest disaster risks facing Mesa Verde National Park. The park’s steep canyons, dense vegetation, and centuries old structures mean a single blaze can threaten both the landscape and the cultural sites left by the Ancestral Pueblo people.

The Bircher Fire of 2000 is a powerful reminder of that risk. Sparked by lightning during extreme drought, it burned 19,607 acres inside the park and forced the evacuation of nearly a thousand visitors. Its rapid spread showed how quickly fire can reshape a place that holds thousands of years of human history.

The 2002 Long Mesa Fire raced toward developed areas during extreme drought, but proactive fuel reduction and prepared crews kept structure losses minimal.

On International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, we are reminded why fire mitigation work matters at Mesa Verde to protect Mesa Verde’s ancestral sites for future generations.

Photo Credit: Jacob W. Frank

Today we honor the Indigenous peoples whose histories, cultures, and ongoing contributions continue to shape Mesa Verde ...
10/12/2026

Today we honor the Indigenous peoples whose histories, cultures, and ongoing contributions continue to shape Mesa Verde and the greater region. The cliff dwellings, mesa-top villages, and cultural sites throughout the park reflect the ingenuity, knowledge, and deep relationships the Ancestral Pueblo people maintained with this landscape for centuries.

Mesa Verde is more than an archaeological treasure. It is a living cultural homeland for descendant communities whose traditions, stewardship, and teachings continue to guide how we understand and care for this remarkable place.

The Mesa Verde Foundation is committed to supporting programs that elevate Indigenous perspectives, strengthen cultural learning, and ensure that the stories shared here reflect the depth, resilience, and ongoing contributions of Indigenous peoples.

Honoring the past. Celebrating the present. Respecting the future.

Pictured here is Christopher J. Lewis, from Zuni Pueblo and of the Badger Clan and child of the Corn Clan, who shared cultural knowledge with our Fall Tour guests while visiting Square Tower House just a few weeks ago.

Photo Credit: Kim Paulin

Happy Weekend! Today we wanted to give a heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us for the Mesa Verde Foundation Sym...
10/12/2026

Happy Weekend!

Today we wanted to give a heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us for the Mesa Verde Foundation Symposium last month! It was wonderful to spend time with so many people who care about Mesa Verde.⁠
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We’re especially grateful to our presenters for sharing their knowledge, stories, and experiences with our guests. You made the symposium informative, engaging, and truly memorable.⁠
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Thank you for being part of such a special event!

Looking for something to do this weekend?? We've got you covered!We invite you to take a look at our Fall 2026 newslette...
10/10/2026

Looking for something to do this weekend?? We've got you covered!

We invite you to take a look at our Fall 2026 newsletter (which you can find on our website at https://www.mesaverdefoundation.org/news/)!

You can find:
- Former Superintendent's Kayci Cook Collins' final letter
- A look at the Civilian Conservation Corps at Mesa Verde Then and Now
- A look at the Mexican Spotted Owl's return to Mesa Verde
- A Community Partner feature
...and so much more!

Happy ! We couldn't help but share a little more from our fabulous cocktail party!! Thank you again to everyone who joi...
10/08/2026

Happy !

We couldn't help but share a little more from our fabulous cocktail party!!

Thank you again to everyone who joined us for the Mesa Verde Foundation Cocktail Party! It was a wonderful evening spent with friends and supporters who share a deep appreciation for Mesa Verde.

A special thank you to Joe Sindelar for bringing former Mesa Verde National Park superintendent Jesse Nusbaum to life through his wonderful living-history presentation. His knowledge and storytelling gave our guests a memorable glimpse into an important chapter of the park’s history.

This gathering marked the last of our events celebrating the 120th anniversary of Mesa Verde National Park, and we couldn’t have asked for a better way to close out this special year.

Thank you for celebrating with us!

Here is part of the remaining wall of the reservoir that can be found off a short trail just north of the Far View Sites...
10/07/2026

Here is part of the remaining wall of the reservoir that can be found off a short trail just north of the Far View Sites road and parking area on Chapin Mesa.

According to Dr. Donna Glowacki, Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Notre Dame and a researcher in the Four Corners region for over twenty-five years, there is a vast network of water capture and storage areas, along with delivery ditch systems, that spread throughout the mesa top to the north of the reservoir.

Dr. Glowacki displayed drawings of the system in her presentation at the Foundation’s recently held symposium at the History Colorado Center in Denver. This system of hydrologic features took care of the agricultural and domestic water needs of the communities of Far View House, Pipe Shrine House, and Coyote Village - all of which can be visited by the public.

How cool is that?!

Photo by Todd Bacon Photography

Today is International Geodiversity Day! Mesa Verde’s story begins with the land. The uplift of the Colorado Plateau, th...
10/06/2026

Today is International Geodiversity Day!

Mesa Verde’s story begins with the land. The uplift of the Colorado Plateau, the carving of deep canyons, and the shaping of sandstone cliffs created the alcoves that later sheltered the Ancestral Pueblo people. The freeze–thaw cycle slowly sculpted these natural spaces, forming the foundations of the cliff dwellings we know today.

Today we celebrate the forces of water, time, and stone. Mesa Verde’s geology is more than scenery. It is a storyteller that reveals how the land shaped a thriving culture and continues to inspire everyone who visits.

Understanding the land is the first step in understanding the people who called it home.

Did you know?
>> Geodiversity creates the landscapes that support geotourism, including mountains, caves, and coastlines.
>> These landscapes strengthen local economies and provide identity for Indigenous and local communities.
>> Exploring geodiverse places connects us to Earth’s history and the stories written in stone.

What part of Mesa Verde’s landscape inspires you most?

Photo Credit: NPS/Jacob W. Frank

Today is World Teacher's Day which reminds us that education is at the heart of Mesa Verde! Every ranger-led program, ev...
10/05/2026

Today is World Teacher's Day which reminds us that education is at the heart of Mesa Verde!

Every ranger-led program, every interpretive moment on the trail, and every cultural learning experience reflects the same commitment teachers make every day: helping people understand the world and their place in it.

Mesa Verde Foundation supports this shared mission by expanding educational opportunities that connect students, educators, and visitors with the history and living legacy of the Ancestral Pueblo people.

Today we celebrate the teachers and rangers (like Joe Sindelar, pictured here!) who inspire curiosity, deepen understanding, and keep learning alive for all who explore Mesa Verde.

Fun fact about Joe is that he's a lifelong teacher and former seasonal ranger whose passion for Mesa Verde continues to inspire learning through his living history presentations as Jesse Nusbaum, one of the park’s most influential early leaders!

Photo Credit: NPS

Still reminiscing about our incredible cocktail party last weekend in Denver! What a great way to share Mesa Verde and t...
10/05/2026

Still reminiscing about our incredible cocktail party last weekend in Denver! What a great way to share Mesa Verde and the Foundation with board members, staff and supporters.

Thank you to everyone who joined us!

Did you know that hummingbirds are remarkable pollinators that help Mesa Verde thrive? In the pinyon-juniper forests acr...
10/04/2026

Did you know that hummingbirds are remarkable pollinators that help Mesa Verde thrive?

In the pinyon-juniper forests across the park, three hummingbird species create flashes of color and sound that keep our ecosystems vibrant. The Black-chinned Hummingbird shows a deep violet shimmer on its throat when the light hits just right. The Broad-tailed Hummingbird fills the air with a bright trilling sound as it flies. The Rufous Hummingbird arrives with fiery orange feathers and bold energy during migration.

Look for them during peak season from late May to mid-August, especially near blooming shrubs and flowers such as cliffrose, serviceberry, and penstemon, and listen for their quick wingbeats and distinct calls as they move from flower to flower. Their work supports the biodiversity that protects the cultural heritage we all cherish. Join us as we continue to honor the wildlife that keeps Mesa Verde flourishing.

What Makes Mesa Verde Hummingbirds Remarkable?
• They visit hundreds of flowers a day, powering the park’s pollination
• Their hearts race past one thousand beats a minute in peak activity
• They memorize favorite feeding spots and return with precision
• Their tiny nests vanish into pinyon and juniper branches
• They slip into energy saving rest states overnight to recover

Photo 1: A migratory visitor, the Rufous Hummingbird passes through Mesa Verde in mid to late summer, pausing to refuel on native blooms.

Photo 2: Known for their dramatic pendulum style courtship dives, Black chinned Hummingbirds are a standout summer sight in Mesa Verde.

Photo 3: Broad tailed Hummingbirds love elevations above 6,000 feet, which makes Mesa Verde one of their favorite summer homes.

Information courtesy of the Audubon Field Guide
Photo Credit: www.ownyardlife.com/Kelvine

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8600 Ralston Road, Suite 100
Arvada, CO
80002

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