Mesa Verde Association

10/15/2026

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Mesa Verde Association Clarifies Position on Proposed Valley Range Energy Park Near Mesa Verde National Park

MONTEZUMA COUNTY, Colo., October 15, 2026 —

In a recent press release from NoValleyRange, a group opposed to the Valley Range Energy Park, a social media comment was quoted and attributed to a member of the Mesa Verde Association Board of Directors. The concerns expressed by Lillian Wakeley about the Valley Range Energy Park were made in her capacity as an individual and member of the local community near the proposed project site. Wakeley’s views on the project are not representative of any position of the Mesa Verde Association, nor its board of directors. At this time, the Mesa Verde Association has not issued any official comment, statement, or position regarding the Valley Range Energy Park.

The Mesa Verde Association is a non-profit partner of Mesa Verde National Park with the mission to be an innovative educational park partner that inspires life-long stewardship of the Mesa Verde region’s cultural and natural heritage.

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Media Contact:
Sarah Rank
Executive Director
Mesa Verde Association
970-529-4647
[email protected]

 The Mesa Verde Association assists and supports various interpretive programs, research activities, special events and visitor services at Mesa Verde National Park. As a non-profit partner the association provides educational material to and sponsors programs for visitors to Mesa Verde, which are...

10/01/2026

What better place to explore the night sky than an International Dark Sky Park?

Join us at the Morefield Amphitheater every Wednesday through October 14 for a ranger-led night sky program!

🔭 Program begins at 8:00pm

🌠 Mesa Verde was the 100th Dark Sky Park, and if weather permits, we will have telescopes out and we should be able to see some excellent stars, have fun, and learn while we do it!

💫 Bring warm layers, a flashlight (red light preferred), and your curiosity💫

⭐ This program is free and open to all ages!

Photo description:
The Milky Way soars above Point Lookout, a silhouetted flat-topped butte. Many, many stars are visible. NPS/Jacob W. Frank

09/28/2026

Check out the latest Night Owl Newsletter from DarkSky International. This edition features articles on conservation efforts underway to preserve the Night Sky.

The article "DarkSky International calls on federal agencies to retain the Roadless Rule, preserving America’s darkest skies" and the shout out to Frisco, Colorado, who recently earned the International Dark Sky Community certification.

Some of America’s darkest skies lie over its wildest places. For 25 years, the Roadless Area Conservation Rule has helped keep them that way, protecting 44.7 million acres of national forest from road development. Now, federal agencies are proposing to end those protections. DarkSky’s analysis f...

09/25/2026

In celebration of National Public Lands Day, our friends at the Southwest Colorado Canyons Alliance are hosting a clean-up day at Lowry Pueblo, registration is required, but as the saying goes it's better late than never.

Also, checkout the flyer from La Plata Mountains & Public Lands Coalition with all the different Public Lands celebrations they'll be hosting in the coming weeks.

09/24/2026

🎨 Experience the richness of living heritage at Mesa Verde National Park this weekend!

Join us in welcoming Cultural Demonstrator and Hopi artist-painter, Dannae Mahape, at the Visitor & Research Center on Saturday and Sunday, September 26 & 27.

Dannae's paintings and wearable art feature bright colors and traditional Hopi designs/elements, that tell stories of beauty, encouragement and resilience. She is excited to share with folks about her process and inspirations!

📍 Visitor & Research Center
📅 September 26 & 27

Don't miss this opportunity to engage with and learn from an accomplished artist and cultural educator during your visit to Mesa Verde!

09/10/2026

🎨 Experience living culture at Mesa Verde National Park this weekend!

Join us in welcoming Cultural Demonstrator and Zuni Traditional Carver, Jimmy Yawakia, at the Mesa Verde National Park Visitor & Research Center on Saturday and Sunday, September 12 & 13.

Learn about enduring connections to and the rich cultural heritage of Mesa Verde as you witness Jimmy create traditional fe**sh carvings from stone, while sharing about his Zuni cultural traditions.

Don't miss this opportunity to meet an accomplished artist and cultural educator during your visit to Mesa Verde! Fe**sh carvings will be available for purchase during the demonstrations.

08/19/2026

🎉 Fee-Free Day at Mesa Verde National Park! 🎉

Next Tuesday, August 25, 2026, celebrate the 110th birthday of the National Park Service with free entrance to Mesa Verde National Park and National Parks across the country. Entrance fees will be waived for the day, making it the perfect opportunity to explore the rich cultural heritage, breathtaking landscapes, and remarkable cliff dwellings that make Mesa Verde so special.

Whether it's your first visit or your fiftieth, there's always something new to discover. Plan your adventure, bring your curiosity, and join us in celebrating America's national parks!

08/14/2026

During World War II, Navajo Code Talkers transformed the Navajo language into an unbreakable code that helped U.S. forces communicate securely across the Pacific. Beginning in 1942, their specialized code, built from more than 600 terms, supported major operations from Guadalcanal to Iwo Jima. After thousands of transmissions, the code was never deciphered by Japanese forces.

The Navajo Code Talkers were part of a larger legacy of Native American service and innovation during World War II. Members of other Tribal nations, including Lakota, Meskwaki, Mohawk, Comanche, Tlingit, Hopi, Cree, and Crow communities, also used their languages to support U.S. military communications in both the Pacific and European theaters.

For decades, the contributions of these Code Talkers remained classified. It wasn’t until 1968 that the world learned about their extraordinary service. Today, we honor their courage, ingenuity, and the enduring importance of language and culture.

From battlefields and historic sites to places connected to Native American heritage and military service, national parks help tell the stories of the people who shaped our shared history.

Learn more: https://www.nps.gov/articles/navajo-code-talkers.htm

Image: Navajo Code Talkers Henry Bahe Jr. and George Kirk, December 1943/U.S. Marine Corps, Department of the Navy

07/07/2026

Wetherill Mesa Area Closed: 7/7/26

Wetherill Mesa is closed due to the detection of a wildland fire. Fire professionals are assessing the situation. Most of the park is currently open including the Main Park Road, Chapin Mesa, Mesa Top Loop, and Cliff Palace Loop. Current closures include Long House and Step House. When more information becomes available, it will be posted on the nps.gov/meve.

Image Description: A National Park Service arrowhead symbol with a tree, mountain and bison. To the right of the arrowhead is the text "Park Alert."

07/02/2026

Join us this weekend for the annual Indigenous Arts & Culture Festival hosted by Mesa Verde National Park and the Mesa Verde Association.

🎉 Join Us This Weekend at Mesa Verde! 🎉

We’re excited to welcome everyone to the Annual Indigenous Art & Culture Festival this Saturday and Sunday, co‑hosted by Mesa Verde National Park and the Mesa Verde Association!

Come enjoy incredible art, dance, stories, and cultural demonstrations from talented artists and knowledge‑keepers across affiliated Pueblos and Tribes.

📍 Saturday, July 4 – Visitor & Research Center
• Indigenous Art Market featuring 35 booths — pottery, jewelry, weaving, prints, graphic tees, and more!
• Hopi Dances by the Lomayestewa Family at 11:00am, 12:00pm, 2:00pm, and 3:00pm

📍 Sunday, July 5 – Museum & Chapin Amphitheater
• Cultural Demonstrations
• 9:00am: Traditional clothing with Frances Abeita
• 9:30am: Jewelry & paintings with Venaya Yazzie
• 10:00am: Micaceous pottery with Glenn Gomez
• 10:30am: Gourd & wood earrings with Dannae Mahapae
• 1:00pm: Acoma storytelling with Robert Torres
• 1:30pm: Traditional beadwork with Saturn Lopez
• Hopi Dances by the Lomayestewa Family at 11:00am, 12:00pm, 2:00pm, and 3:00pm.

We hope to see you there!

Image Credit: Design courtesy of Dwight Honyouti for the Mesa Verde Association

Photo Description: A round logo for the Festival, depicting a sun rising above a mesa, rays spreading behind the clouds, with traditional geometric designs in the sky and below the mesa. Around it is the text "Indigenous Arts & Culture Festival 2026"