Mesa Verde Association

04/08/2026

🎨 Call for Artists – Deadline Extended! 🎨
There’s still time to apply for two exciting artist opportunities connected to Mesa Verde National Park:

✨ Mesa Verde Museum Exhibit Murals
Artists and illustrators are invited to submit proposals for large‑scale exhibit murals and illustrations for new exhibits in the Mesa Verde Museum. These works will support powerful visual storytelling about the deep, living relationships between Indigenous peoples and the Mesa Verde landscape.
📅 Submission deadline: April 30, 2026

🎭 Annual Indigenous Arts & Culture Festival
Indigenous artists, cultural demonstrators, and performers are invited to apply to participate in the Annual Indigenous Arts & Culture Festival, celebrating the living cultures of the Southwest through art, demonstrations, conversation, and performance.
📅 Applications open through April 30, 2026

Artists are encouraged to apply—and help us spread the word by sharing with creatives in your community.
👉 Learn more and submit here: https://www.mesaverde.org/call-for-artists

04/02/2026

The CANM Visitor Center & Museum is now OPEN! Thank you for your patience while planned improvements to the facility were completed, including rehabilitation of the auditorium and bathrooms.

As a reminder, the visitor center is currently operating under summer hours and is open
Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Plan your next visit ➡️ https://ow.ly/rYXg50YBuuS

03/16/2026

Capitol Reef National Park is seeking input on opportunities to expand recreational access and connectivity and to modernize facilities and infrastructure within the park.

The National Park Service wants to hear your ideas and questions on preliminary strategies that enhance recreational opportunities, alleviate parking and roadway congestion, and preserve the resources of Capitol Reef National Park. Examples of potential strategies include new trails between historic sites and popular trailheads and improved visitor services and parking in these areas.

To learn more about the project goals and potential strategies and to submit comments, visit the project website https://parkplanning.nps.gov/CapitolReefPlanning. The park will be collecting comments through April 3, 2026. Please also consider attending meetings hosted by the park to learn more about the planning process and ask park staff questions:

Virtual Public Meeting:

• March 11, 2026, Virtual meeting from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Join by following the link at: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/26167435410689?p=gKfiqpQPrCA5Ks5pAG

In-Person Open House:

• March 19, 2026, at Torrey Park Pavilion, 95 East 100 North Torrey, UT. Open house 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The news release can also be found on the park website: https://go.nps.gov/17le0f

NPS photo: Hikers on the Hickman Bridge Trail

03/13/2026

Do you want to work with a great team in an amazing place? If so, Mesa Verde National Park is hiring an engineering equipment operator!

The position operates a variety of engineering equipment such as snowplows, graders, dump trucks, loaders, backhoes, heavy trucks, and trailers. The position operates front end loaders to load trucks, stockpile material, clean ditches, and clean up storm damage.

At times, equipment is operated in difficult terrain, on congested roads, and in extreme weather conditions.

To learn more about the position, see qualifications, and apply visit www.usajobs.gov/job/860105000. The opportunity closes on March 18, 2026.

Image Credit: NPS Photo

Image Description: Large amounts of snow along a snow-packed road with trees and bushes in the background. Along the road, a large blower is blowing snow off the roadway.

03/13/2026

For folks visiting the region please see below about a temporary closure of the Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center & Museum

TEMPORARY VISITOR CENTER CLOSURE: The visitor center at the Canyon of the Ancients National Monument will be closed beginning the afternoon of March 12, 2026. Planned improvements to the facility, including rehabilitation of the auditorium and bathrooms, have necessitated a temporary closure while all projects are completed.

The March 14 block printing workshop with Vicki Conley has been relocated to the Montezuma Heritage Museum.

Updates will be provided as they become available. Additional questions can be directed to visitor center staff at (970) 882-5600.

02/20/2026

Mesa Verde National Park
Friday, February 20, 2026
Update: Park Closed Due to Winter Weather!

Mesa Verde National Park is closed today due to continued accumulation of snow, ice, and poor visibility along the main park road. This alert is updated daily as the weather changes and safety conditions along the road are evaluated.

For up-to-date information visit

Secure .gov websites use HTTPSA lock ( ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

02/20/2026

Mesa Verde National Park
Friday, February 20, 2026
Delayed Opening Due to Snow and Ice!

The park and roads will open at 11 am. The Visitor and Research Center opens at noon. If a park-wide closure is required, notification will appear around 10 am. Colorado traction laws will be in effect. Drive cautiously, plows are working.

For up-to-date information visit https://www.nps.gov/meve/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

02/19/2026

Mesa Verde National Park
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Delayed Opening due to Snow and Ice!
The park and roads will open at 11 am. The Visitor and Research Center opens at noon. If a park-wide closure is required, notification will appear around 10 am. Colorado traction laws will be in effect. Drive cautiously, plows will still be working. For updates check https://www.nps.gov/meve/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

02/18/2026

Mesa Verde National Park
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Park closed due to winter weather!

Mesa Verde National Park is closed today due to continued accumulation of snow, ice, and poor visibility along the main park road.

Check https://www.nps.gov/meve/planyourvisit/weather.htm for updates as alerts change daily as the weather changes and safety conditions along the road are evaluated.

02/17/2026

🌄 Calling All Artists! Two New Opportunities at Mesa Verde 🎨
The Mesa Verde Association, in partnership with Mesa Verde National Park, is excited to announce two artist opportunities now open for submissions! We’re inviting artists, illustrators, cultural demonstrators, and performers from our local, regional, and affiliated communities to take part in projects that celebrate the vibrant cultural heritage of Mesa Verde.

✨ Opportunity 1: Indigenous Arts & Culture Festival – Call for Indigenous Artists
We’re seeking Indigenous artists, performers, and cultural demonstrators to participate in the 2026 Annual Indigenous Arts & Culture Festival, happening July 4–5, 2026 at the Mesa Verde Visitor & Research Center. This outdoor event celebrates Indigenous art and culture in the American Southwest, offering space to demonstrate, discuss, and sell your work.
🔗 Learn more & apply: www.mesaverde.org/festival

🎨 Opportunity 2: Mesa Verde Museum Exhibit Murals
We’re looking for artists and illustrators to submit proposals for three new museum exhibit murals, developed in collaboration with the Native Interpretation Working Group and through formal tribal consultation. These murals will serve as powerful visual storytelling pieces, helping visitors understand the deep, living relationships between Indigenous peoples and the Mesa Verde landscape—past, present, and future.
🔗 Details & submission info: www.mesaverde.org/call-for-artists

If you or someone you know is passionate about art, culture, and storytelling, we’d love for you to be part of these meaningful projects. Help us celebrate and elevate the voices and traditions that make Mesa Verde so extraordinary! 🌟

Indigenous Arts & Culture Festival

02/17/2026

Mesa Verde National Park
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Delayed Opening due to Snow and Ice!

The park and roads will open at 11 am. The Visitor and Research Center opens at noon. If a park-wide closure is required, notification will appear around 10 am. Colorado traction laws will be in effect. Drive cautiously, plows will still be working. For updates check

Secure .gov websites use HTTPSA lock ( ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

02/13/2026

To take advantage of favorable weather conditions, fire managers are planning to conduct a pile burn in Mesa Verde National Park on February 17 – February 19, 2026. Firefighters will burn one large slash pile, approximately 0.25 acres in size, located adjacent to the park's four-way stop near the headquarters loop. Firefighters will be on scene for the duration of the operation.

Smoke impacts to the surrounding communities of Mancos, Cortez, and Towaoc, Colo. are expected to be minimal, and smoke may or may not be visible. Smoke and flames may be visible from the main park road during and up to one to two days post-ignition.

For more information, please view the press release on the park’s website at https://www.nps.gov/meve/learn/news/update-pile-burn-planned.htm.

Image description: A National Park Service arrowhead symbol featuring a mountain, bison, and trees and the words "National Park Service." To the right of the symbol is text reading "Pile Burning in Mesa Verde."