Colorado National Monument Association

06/03/2026

Desert bighorn sheep, like this ewe and her lamb, are often grazing alongside Rim Rock Drive. 🚧

Give them plenty of space and slow down! Use extra caution around curves and outcrops. ⚠️

Let us know in the comments if you've seen sheep this spring. 🤓

05/31/2026

Excited to share our June Community Artist In Park is fiber artist Katelyn Pierce!

🌼Thursday, 6/11, 6p - 8p, Flora in Fiber
Discover how to use embroidery and thread painting to create beautiful flower art.
*Registration required - 4 spots left

🌼Saturday, 6/20, 10a - 12p, Community Artist Meet & Greet
Stop by the Saddlehorn Visitor Center to meet Katelyn as she works on a unique piece of fiber art.
*Open House, registration not required.

👉More details and registration at our website - coloradonma.org/events

🪡About Katelyn: Katelyn Pierce is a fiber artist, specializing in thread painting. She began embroidery three years ago as a hobby to have while caring for her first born. Over the years, she has refined her style and takes inspiration from the high deserts plants, landscapes, and animals.

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The Community Artist In Park program is supported by the City of Grand Junction, Commission on Arts & Culture.

05/27/2026

Join us for a unique mala-making experience with DarcMoon and CNMA at Colorado National Monument. ✨

This Mala Necklace workshop is a chance to reconnect with intention-setting, explore new gemstones, and create your own 108-bead mala necklace. 📿

You'll be able to make it truly unique with over 20 types of gemstones to choose from. 💫

6/27, 9M – 1PM
Devil's Kitchen Picnic Area
Cost: $100 (a portion of ticket sales supports Colorado National Monument Association)

Tickets and full event details here: https://coloradonma.org/event/desert-mala-necklace-workshop-06-27-2026/ or visit or Events Calendar at the link in bio. 🔗
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05/22/2026

On May 24th, 1911 President Taft signed a presidential proclamation to protect this incredible landscape as Colorado National Monument.

Come out and celebrate this 115th anniversary year! 🥳

This Sunday, 5/24 join us for 2 programs happening at the Saddlehorn Visitor Center:

📷Then & Now Photo Exhibit with Terri Ahern sharing her passion and knowledge of the monument through photos and storytelling.

🎨Community Artist In Park with Cedar Keshet plein air painting the view from the back patio.

More info at our Events Calendar link in bio
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📷 Independence Monument by David Smith

05/20/2026

Join us for our Community Artist In Park Meet & Greet! 👋

Our May artist, Cedar Keshet will be painting, plein air style, at the Saddlehorn Visitor Center.

Watch her work on a unique piece of art, ask questions, and enjoy a lovely morning at the monument.

Sunday, 5/24
10a - 12pm

Details at the Events Calendar link in bio.
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The Community Artist In Park program is supported in part by the City of Grand Junction, Commission on Arts & Culture.

05/15/2026

A great NPS Resiliency Ranger hike happening at Colorado National Monument on 5/21. Details below👇.

Resilience in Bloom: A Monument Canyon Wildflower Hike

Join us on May 21st for a morning Resiliency Ranger loop hike to the base of Independence Monument, where we will explore desert resilience, seasonal wildflowers, and the quiet beauty of one of John Otto’s most treasured canyon landscapes.

We will meet at the Lower Monument Canyon Trailhead at 7:30 a.m. and hike approximately 5 miles total, beginning and ending at the Lower Monument Canyon Trailhead. Along the way, we will travel through the lower reaches of Monument Canyon, pause to view and identify wildflowers, and take in the towering sandstone walls, desert life, and the iconic view beneath Independence Monument.

Grab a buddy, pack your lunch, bring plenty of water, and come prepared for a meaningful morning on the trail. This hike is a great way to welcome the season, reconnect with the landscape, and experience how resilience shows up in the desert—one step, one bloom, and one canyon view at a time.

Where: Lower Monument Canyon Trailhead
When: May 21st, 7:30 a.m.
Distance: Approximately 5 miles
Bring: Lunch, plenty of water, sun protection, sturdy shoes, and a trail buddy

NPS Photo by VIP Carla DeKalb of a barrel cactus blooming while growing in a rocky area.

05/12/2026

It's a hot one today, and tomorrow.‼️️

And if you're reading this, chances are pretty high that you are not a lizard - so take these precautions while visiting Colorado National Monument:

🌡Consider outside activities in the early morning or evening hours.
💧Stay hydrated, drink plenty of water.
👒Wear sunscreen, light colored clothing, and a hat.
😎Take rest breaks in the shade.

For more safety tips while visiting Colorado National Monument check out their website: https://www.nps.gov/colm/planyourvisit/safety.htm
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📷: Eastern Collared Lizard, Joe Schwarz

05/07/2026

The wait is over! The 2026 Colorado National Monument Bike Jersey is available.

This limited-edition bike jersey features 2 monument icons:
✨Balanced Rock & 🐏Desert Bighorn Sheep

Pick one up at the CNMA Bookstore or order online at Rimrockshop.com.

Every sale helps fund projects and programs at Colorado National Monument.

05/05/2026

The weather at Colorado National Monument can change quickly.

Plan ahead and prepare for your next visit - check the local weather forecast, pack a rain jacket, and have a backup plan.

Looking for more safety tips?
Visit - www.nps.gov/colm/planyourvisit/safety.htm
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📷: David Smith

04/30/2026

🫶Thank you to our pals at Hot Tomato! And to our community of pizza & monument lovers.

🍕As their March nonprofit of the month CNMA received a generous donation of over $2000.

🧡This support means so much to us. Go forth, eat pizza, and do good!
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