Some people visit national parks. Others spend a lifetime living them—carrying their lessons forward, sharing their beauty, and ensuring they remain protected for generations to come.

Bob Spangler is one of those people.

A Life Rooted in National Parks

Bob’s connection to national parks began in childhood and became a lifelong thread woven through his family, his values, and his legacy.

From camping trips to his honeymoon—where he and his wife explored Mammoth Cave National Park—to decades of family adventures, the parks have always been more than destinations. They’ve been a way of life.

That love didn’t stop with him.

Bob and his wife passed it on to their children, Scott and Kate, and eventually to his granddaughter, Elise—who began her own journey at just 18 months old with a visit to Crater Lake National Park. Earlier this year, Bob joined her again as she celebrated her 20th birthday at Everglades National Park, marking a full-circle moment across generations.

Together, they’ve explored over 40 national parks, and Elise has earned more than 30 Junior Ranger badges and counting.

A Legacy of Stewardship

For Bob, loving the parks has always meant taking care of them.

He volunteered for 13 years at Saguaro National Park, where he became known for his kindness, patience, and ability to connect with visitors, especially children. Whether answering questions, sharing stories, or simply helping someone see the desert in a new way, Bob embodied the spirit of the National Park Service.

And when it comes to stewardship, he doesn’t just talk about it; he lives it.

He still picks up trash when he sees it. He still believes deeply in leaving places better than we found them.

That philosophy has shaped his family and continues to ripple outward through everyone he’s inspired.

Bringing the Night Sky to Life

An astronomy enthusiast, Bob  spent years attending local meetings and exploring the night sky, another way of connecting with the vast beauty of our world.

This year, his family chose to honor him in a meaningful way: by supporting astronomy programing at Colorado National Monument in celebration of his 80th birthday.

Their gift isn’t just equipment—it’s an invitation.

An invitation for visitors, families, and children to look up, ask questions, and experience the same sense of wonder Bob has carried his entire life.

What This Gift Makes Possible

Bob’s donation funded a series of tools that will directly enhance astronomy programming at the monument:

• 🔦 Laser pointers to guide visitors through constellations and celestial features
• 🌟 Glow cones to safely navigate nighttime programs
• 🔭 Smart telescope (ZWO Seestar S30 Pro) for accessible, high-quality viewing
• ☀️ Solar viewing filter for safe daytime astronomy experiences
• 🪑 Adjustable viewing chair designed for comfort—especially for kids and seniors

Together, these tools will make astronomy programs more interactive, inclusive, and unforgettable.

A Gift That Reaches Beyond One Night

What makes this contribution so special is  the thoughtfulness and heart behind it.

Bob’s story is one of curiosity, stewardship, and generational impact. His legacy lives not only in the parks he’s explored, but in the people he’s inspired to care about them.

Now, through this gift, that legacy expands even further, reaching every visitor who looks through a telescope, every child who asks their first question about the stars, and every family who shares a moment of wonder under the night skies at Colorado National Monument. 

Our Sincere Thanks

On behalf of the Colorado National Monument Association, our National Park Service partners, and the countless visitors who will benefit from this gift, thank you, Bob!  

Thank you: for your years of service, your love of our national parks, and for reminding all of us to keep looking up. ✨

—

Lead Image, Night Sky by Bob Peterson

The post Donor Spotlight: Bob Spangler’s Gift to the Stars appeared first on Colorado National Monument Association.

Fourth graders spill out onto the red dirt, craning their necks, shading their eyes, trying to take it all in—the cliffs, the silence, the way the landscape feels too big. For maybe the first time in their lives, they sense a connection to both place and people. Experiences like these are what create lasting land stewards.

When a child looks at a ranger and says, “I’ve never seen anything like this before,” there’s a moment—wide eyes, shaky grin, a first look at a view they’ll never forget.

That is what your year-end gift makes possible.

When you give to Colorado National Monument Association (CNMA) before December 31, you’re keeping field trips on the road and impactful programs on the calendar, going strong into 2026.

You’re making sure the monument remains what it has always quietly been for so many people: a classroom, a sanctuary, a doorway to the natural world. 

Every bus that sighs to a stop at the monument, every pair of wide eyes taking in the cliffs for the first time, is there because someone chose to give. If you want more children to step onto that red dirt and feel that same sense of wonder in 2026, you can help write that story today. Give Today.

The People Behind the Programs (And the Stories Behind the Stats)

Every program at Colorado National Monument starts with a person and a story.

Juliet – Park Ranger

Juliet grew up visiting national parks, the kind of kid who collected memories the way other kids collected trading cards.

“I had many memorable and impactful experiences visiting the National Parks growing up,” she says. “As a ranger, I love that I am able to facilitate these types of positive experiences through helping visitors plan their trip, presenting programs on the park’s unique geology, ecology, and history, and connecting with visitors out on the trails.”

On any given day, you might find her at the Visitor Center answering questions, out on a trail describing rock layers that are older than human history, or calming the nerves of a family about to try a hike that feels “a little too adventurous.”

Your support keeps rangers like Juliet on the frontlines of wonder—ready with maps, stories, safety tips, and the patience to answer “What kind of lizard is that?” for the hundredth time.

Bryce – Resiliency Ranger Intern

This past summer, Bryce carried a different kind of responsibility.

“This summer at Colorado National Monument has been an incredible opportunity to serve and grow,” he says. “Through my role as Resiliency Ranger Intern for mental health, I was able to support mindfulness and educational programming for over 500 members of the veteran community.”

One of his favorite moments was September’s Community Canvas Project for Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. More than 300 participants added a brushstroke or message to a shared piece of art—a visual tapestry of resilience, remembrance, and hope.

“Beyond programming,” Bryce says, “I valued the chance to shadow different park divisions, including Resources, Law Enforcement, and Maintenance, which gave me a broader perspective on the monument’s operations. Working at the Visitor Center was also rewarding, especially swearing in Junior Rangers, a daily reminder of how the park connects and fosters the next generation of stewards.”

Your gifts create internships like Bryce’s—roles that support veterans, strengthen mental health programming, and grow the next generation of public lands stewards at the same time.

Caroline – Education Ranger

If you ask Caroline why she does this work, she’ll go straight back to childhood.

“If there had been more opportunities for me to do ‘outdoorsy’ things as a child, I could have had so much more time exploring different regions and learning,” she says. “That is just part of why I feel so passionately about getting children outside, letting them explore and be curious, and teaching them about the natural world. The more we can get people to appreciate our natural world, the more of it we might protect for the future.”

Her days rarely look the same.

“One of the best things this job allows me to do is constantly learn — about teaching techniques, how the brain learns, geology, biology, natural sciences, animal adaptations, desert habitats, and really anything that can benefit our learners and the park. I love the variety in my day-to-day… field trips with students, helping in the Visitor Center, and developing new programs and activities.”

When you support CNMA, you’re putting Caroline in front of students who may never have seen a canyon, a desert landscape, or a night sky so full of stars.

What Your Support Made Possible in 2025

This spring, more than 1,400 students turned the Colorado National Monument into their classroom.

In spring 2025 alone, CNMA-supported education programs welcomed:

• 1,371 students from 29 schools
• 771 Title I students
• 476 students visiting the monument for the very first time

They hiked narrow trails and looked over canyon rims. They modeled the rock cycle with their hands, sketched peregrine falcons, played outdoor games, completed scavenger hunts, and—maybe most importantly—spent over 115,000 hours off screens, breathing fresh air and learning in the red rock canyons.

Some of them will come back with their families. Some will remember this as the day they decided they liked science. Some will simply remember the feeling of being somewhere vast and beautiful and thinking, This is mine to care for, too.

Connecting Visitors to the Night Sky

From May through September, Dark Sky Rangers led two astronomy programs per month—10 programs total, reaching about 490 visitors.

Guests stepped up to telescopes and peered into deep space. They heard stories of constellations, the science of light pollution, and the history of humans trying to understand the night sky—while Colorado National Monument’s silhouette cut against the stars.

For some, it was the first time they’d seen the Milky Way so clearly. For others, it was the moment they realized how rare dark skies are becoming, and how important it is to protect them.

Serving Every Visitor, Every Day

The Visitor Center is the beating heart of the monument.

In 2025, park rangers, interns, and CNMA staff:

• Served more than 140,000 guests at the Visitor Center
• Answered questions, issued permits, reserved campsites, and provided orientation and safety information
• Responded to medical incidents and emergencies
• Swore in thousands of Junior Rangers, helping young visitors see themselves as protectors of this place

Out on the trails and overlooks, rangers also led educational hikes, walks, and talks for over 4,200 visitors throughout the summer, connecting people directly to the geology, ecology, and history of this landscape.

Your support keeps this welcome, this safety net, and this sense of belonging in place for every visitor, every day.

When you give to CNMA, you:

• Keep buses rolling so more schools—especially Title I schools—can bring students to the monument.
• Support ranger and intern positions that expand educational, resiliency, and dark sky programming.
• Help sustain a culture of care where students feel seen, welcomed, and inspired to protect public lands.

Whatever you’re able to give, it matters. It adds another bus, another program, another night under the stars.

Make Your Gift Today

To keep these experiences going in 2026, CNMA must raise critical year-end funding before December 31. A gift made today helps ensure that the next school bus still rolls in, and the next Junior Ranger still hears, “This place needs you.” Donate Today.

Thank You for Being Part of This Story

Every gift, no matter the size, helps ensure that Colorado National Monument remains a place where people can learn, heal, and be inspired.

Thank you for standing with CNMA’s rangers, interns, educators, and volunteers. Together, we’re writing the next chapter of this landscape’s story and helping the next generation discover that public lands are important and worth protecting.

The post Give the Gift of Wonder at Colorado National Monument appeared first on Colorado National Monument Association.

The Rotary Club of Fruita is a group of friends, neighbors, and community leaders whose mission is to give back—both locally and globally—through service, fellowship, and fun.

Members come together around a simple but powerful idea: when good people work side by side, they can make a lasting difference. That spirit of collaboration is reflected in the club’s long history of supporting projects that strengthen Fruita, Mesa County, and communities around the world.

Their motto says it well: Good People Doing Good Things.

Approaching 90 Years of Service

In 2026, Fruita Rotary will celebrate its 90th anniversary year, marking nearly a century of continuous service.

Over those decades, the club has invested time, talent, and resources into meaningful projects that reflect Rotary’s core values: service, integrity, leadership, diversity, and fellowship. Many of these projects connect directly to the landscapes and communities that CNMA also serves.

Projects That Make a Difference

The Rotary Club of Fruita has supported a wide range of initiatives, including:

• Environmental and conservation efforts
  Supporting environmental initiatives and educational programs at Colorado National Monument Association and other local conservation organizations.
• Youth and education
  Providing scholarships, youth development opportunities, and leadership initiatives that help young people grow, learn, and lead.
• Literacy, wellness, and the arts
  Promoting literacy, wellness, and art projects both locally and internationally, helping to enrich lives and expand opportunities.
• Improving public spaces in Fruita
  Enhancing the town of Fruita by helping secure a grant to update Rotary Triangle Park, making it a more welcoming space for residents and visitors.
• Caring for the natural world close to home
  Partnering with the Town of Fruita to plant and grow trees at Snooks Bottom, contributing to a healthier, greener community.

These efforts, along with many other projects over the years, demonstrate Rotary’s ongoing commitment to both community and conservation—values closely aligned with CNMA’s mission.

Get Involved with Fruita Rotary

The Rotary Club of Fruita welcomes CNMA members and community members who are interested in service, networking, and making a positive impact.

The club meets twice monthly upstairs at the Fruita Civic Center:

• 1st Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.
• 3rd Tuesday at 12:00 p.m. (noon)

Visitors are always welcome to attend a meeting, learn more, and see if Rotary might be a good fit. For more information or to get in touch, email: rotaryclub.fruita@gmail.com

The post Partner Spotlight: The Rotary Club of Fruita appeared first on Colorado National Monument Association.

Now more than ever is the time for us all to chip in.

How You Can Help

There are many ways to support, all linked below. From making a gift to becoming a member, or shopping on our online store, every contribution helps sustain Colorado National Monument Association’s ability to remain a strong, resilient nonprofit partner to the Monument.

We are deeply grateful for you. Your continued support makes everything we do possible. Thank you for being part of the community that stands up and says: We value our public lands. We value our National Parks. We value the people who steward these places day in and day out. And they need our support.

Make A Donation

During the government shutdown our mission remains the same: to support Colorado National Monument and help fund initiatives that foster knowledge, passion, and dedication to enable stewardship and preservation of these public lands.

Your donation helps us to continue to meet the needs of our mission. Donate now. 

Become a CNMA Member

Colorado National Monument Association Memberships are essential for funding priority projects and protecting Colorado National Monument for future generations.

This membership aid provides critical support for events, programs, and improvements within the Monument’s boundary. Join here. 

Shop Our Online Bookstore – Rim Rock Shop

Every sale helps fund programs and projects at Colorado National Monument. Our physical bookstore is closed, and this is our main revenue source to be able to provide aid request funds for the National Park Service at Colorado National Monument.

We have everything from souvenirs, to stickers, apparel, books, and more! Your purchase now will help to bridge the gap in this loss of funding support. Visit our online bookstore. 

Thank You!

We are incredibly grateful to have you in our corner during this critical time. Your contributions provide foundations support for the programs, research, and staff at Colorado National Monument. This support ensures the rich history, geology, and priceless access to our public lands is protected in perpetuity.

We could not do this with you.

—

If you are looking for more information and updates about Colorado National Monument during this time, please visit their official NPS website, Colorado National Monument (U.S. National Park Service).

The post How To Support CNMA During The Government Shutdown appeared first on Colorado National Monument Association.

The Colorado National Monument Association (CNMA) is excited to announce Ashley Ojala as its new Executive Director. She joined the organization in July 2025, bringing a passion for connecting people with place and a background in outdoor recreation, tourism and nonprofit marketing.

“Ashley’s energy, vision and commitment to our community make her a perfect fit to lead CNMA into its next chapter,” said Interim Board Chair, Sue Conry. “Her enthusiasm for both the Monument and the people who care about it is inspiring.”

Ojala is honored to lead CNMA’s team in supporting, protecting and celebrating Colorado National Monument. “I’m especially passionate about fostering partnerships, enhancing visitor experiences and serving the local communities that make this backyard Monument extraordinary,” said Ojala.

The Colorado National Monument Association is a nonprofit partner to Colorado National Monument, providing funding for educational programs, scientific research, visitor services and conservation initiatives. Learn more here.

The post Colorado National Monument Association Names Ashley Ojala as New Executive Director appeared first on Colorado National Monument Association.

A Spirit with Purpose

Leopold Bros., an independently owned and operated distillery founded by brothers Todd and Scott Leopold, is known for its commitment to craftsmanship, sustainability, and community.

“At Leopold Bros, we fuse heritage craftsmanship with innovative design, seeking to restore the artisanship of previous generations while adding a conservationist mindset to that legacy,” distiller Todd Leopold stated.

“Our father Bob Leopold worked at the Bureau of Land Management for his entire career, while Scott did his MS in environmental engineering at Stanford, becoming a pioneer in sustainable factory design. Everything we do is in concert with nature.”

The Leopold Bros. team has long held a deep appreciation for Colorado’s public lands. Creating Monument Canyon Trail is their way of giving back to one of the state’s most iconic landscapes.

Get a First Taste of “Monument Canyon Trail”

The whiskey will soon be available in stores across Colorado and for online purchase (with home delivery) at leopoldbros.com/us-delivery.

To celebrate the launch, the public is invited to a special release party on June 25, 2025, at Talbott Farm Market and Tap Room in Palisade, CO. The Leopold Bros. team sources fruit from Talbott Farms for several of their products, making this a fitting venue to honor both local agriculture and public lands.

Release Party Details

When: June 25, 2025 | 6:00–7:30 PM

Where: Talbott Farm Market & Tap Room, 3801 F 1/4 Road, Palisade, CO

Tickets: $50 | Available at leopoldbros.com/visit-us.

Attendees will receive a welcome cocktail, enjoy tastings of Monument Canyon Trail and other Leopold Bros. spirits, hear behind-the-scenes stories from the distillery, and learn about the partnership with CNMA and Talbott Farms. There will also be tasty food from Talbott Farms included in the ticket price.

What this partnership means for Colorado National Monument Association

“CNMA is tremendously lucky to have this partnership with Leopold Bros.,” says Executive Director Johanna van Waveren. “Their whiskey is something special, and their commitment to supporting Colorado’s public lands is inspiring. This collaboration will help introduce more people to CNMA while raising important funds to support CNMA’s programs and preservation.”

The post Leopold Bros. Distillery Crafts Monument Canyon Trail Whiskey appeared first on Colorado National Monument Association.

How the Confluence Center of Colorado Supports Local Nonprofits

Six nonprofits are joining forces to create a collaborative space—not just for themselves, but for countless other nonprofits, as well as public and private partners across the Colorado River Basin. Together, they’re nurturing the next generation of land and water stewards to carry this work forward.

The Confluence Center of Colorado brings together mission-focused, nonpolitical organizations working at the confluence of land and water science, education, agriculture, and stewardship to magnify our impact and ensure the longevity of our natural resources for future generations.

Through this collaboration, resource sharing, and increased visibility our goal is to magnify our impact on the local community, region, and nation’s land and water future.

Events and Updates to Share

It’s happening! We broke ground on February 26th with biodegradable confetti shot from potato guns and golden shovels wielded by Eureka! kids—an unforgettable start to this transformative project. Swing by the Dos Rios area near the bike park (and future Starbucks) to see where it’s all unfolding.

We followed up with a successful fundraiser on March 29th at Monument Vista Place, where we raised over $16,000. Guests enjoyed stunning views, live music by Kathryn Mientka Farrugia and Jose de los Santos, wine from Restoration Vineyards, and delicious bites. Keep an eye out for other events around the Grand Valley this summer. We’ll continue to spread the word about this incredible project and raise funds to get us over the finish line.

Most recently CNMA received a donation of $8,000 from The Grand Junction Rotary Club that will also go toward the Confluence Center project. We are thrilled to receive funds raised from the 2025 Banff Mountain Film Festival this year. Check out the KREX Grand Junction highlight. 

Your Support Goes a Long Way

We’ve already raised over $4,660,000—but we still need about $2 million to bring the Confluence Center of Colorado to life. Right now, there’s a matching grant opportunity and fantastic tax incentives. Plus, supporters may have the chance to be recognized in the Center’s beautiful lobby, which will welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors inspired to protect the Colorado River Basin.

We need our community’s help to cross the finish line. Please consider supporting this project or sharing it with others.

Let’s build something lasting—for our land, our water, and our future.

The post Building a Better Future: The Confluence Center of Colorado appeared first on Colorado National Monument Association.

Colorado National Monument has long been a source of inspiration, with its towering red rock formations, deep canyons, sweeping vistas, and rich cultural history. We are excited to celebrate this landscape through the perspective of our first ever Community Artist in Park. Whether it’s painting, music, dance, sculpture, the written word – all artistic mediums are welcome to apply.

Through live demonstrations and community events, the Community Artist in Park program invites both our local community and its many visitors to engage with Colorado National Monument in a fresh and interactive way. By connecting local artists and the community with the land they call home, the program fosters a deeper appreciation for the monument’s natural beauty, history, and cultural significance.

We are incredibly grateful to the Grand Junction Commission on Arts & Culture for awarding CNMA a grant to help support this new program!

Application Criteria

The applicant must meet the following criteria:

• Reside in Mesa County, Colorado. Must be willing and able to show proof of residency with the following accepted documents: driver’s license, utility bill, or bank statement.
• Have a portable medium that invites visitor curiosity and engagement and is easily performed outside of a studio setting.
• Create a friendly, approachable environment to encourage visitor interaction.
• Engage in 12 hours of art creation per month within the monument, spending at least 8 hours in a “front-country” location with visitor interaction.
• Provide a detailed schedule of locations and dates of visitor contact work in advance. Adhere to the proposed schedule as firmly as possible.
• Attend all required training and orientation as assigned.
• Conduct a minimum of one event in the city of Grand Junction, aiming to engage with the local community about the Community Artist in Park program.
• Work alongside CNMA staff in developing products for sale at the CNMA Bookstore that feature artwork created during the program.

Additional information regarding the program, requirements, and compensation can be found in the Community Artist in Park FAQ document. 

Key Dates

• May 15, 2025 – Call for applications opens.
• June 12, 2025 – Application materials due.
• June 13 – June 20, 2025 – Applicant selection process.
• July 2025 – Community Artist in Park programming begins.
• November 30, 2025 – Community Artist in Park programming ends.

How to Apply for the Community Artist in Park Program

Applicants must prepare written answers to the following questions:

1. What is your medium? How does this medium work in the Community Artist in Park context?
2. What specific experience do you have as an artist working with the public?
3. What is your proposed schedule to meet the 12 hours of visitor contact work per month requirement? Are you available on the weekends?
4. What is the significance of public lands to you? Please describe any personal experience(s) you have had with them.

Additionally, please include the following with your application packet:

• 3 examples of your works in the following file formats: .jpg or .mov. (Digital portfolios and websites are welcome for submission.)
• Artist bio
• Contact info: mailing address, daytime phone number, email address, and preferred method of contact -phone call, text, or email.

Send your digital application materials by June 12th via email to:

Jes Rich, CNMA Program Coordinator

programs@coloradonma.org

—

Have questions or would like more information? Please reach out to Jes Rich, programs@coloradonma.org

The post Community Artist in Park Program Begins at Colorado National Monument – Apply Now! appeared first on Colorado National Monument Association.

We’re excited to announce that A Monumental Celebration, Colorado National Monument Association’s signature fundraiser, will return for its second year on October 16, 2025, at the breathtaking Monument Vista Place—and you’re invited to be part of it! Sponsorship opportunities are a great way to support our work while increasing your visibility within the Grand Valley community.

This unforgettable evening will feature live music, a gourmet dinner, a silent auction, and we will share exciting updates and stories from the monument.

Whether you’re a longtime supporter or newly connected to our work, this is an opportunity to show your commitment to conservation, education, and our public lands.

Why Sponsor?

By sponsoring A Monumental Celebration, you directly support Colorado National Monument Association (CNMA) and our mission to support Colorado National Monument in:

• Delivering educational programming to thousands of local students
• Swearing in more than 3,000 Junior rangers annually
• Protecting over 20,500 acres of public land
• Conserving more than 900 species of native plants and wildlife
• Strengthening the local economy though sustainable tourism and stewardship

Last Year, our community came together in an incredible way – exceeding our $60,000 matching grant goal and helped us raise over $123,000. This milestone would not have been possible without dedicated supporters and sponsors like you.

Sponsorship Opportunities

There are several ways, individuals, businesses, and organizations and get involved to make this event a success:

• Purchase a table for your team, clients, or guests.
• Sponsor a specific element of the evening, such as:
  • Dessert
  • Floral Arrangements
  • Music or Entertainment
  • Beverage Station

All sponsors receive recognition in the event program and promotional materials. We are deeply appreciative of your commitment to this event, the monument, and our local community.

This more than an event – it’s an opportunity to support our local public lands that support our community in so many ways! View the sponsorship packages below and find the sponsorship level that works best for you.

Ready to Join Us?

To learn more or reserve your sponsorship level, please email Shalana Battles at sbattles@coloradonma.org.

Let’s make 2025 even more monumental – together.

The post A Monumental Celebration Returns – Sponsorship Opportunities Now Open! appeared first on Colorado National Monument Association.

This pilot program, a joint effort between Colorado National Monument Assocation and the Park Service, will continue through September of this year.

A Bit About Sophie

She’s visited 20 of the 63 U.S. National Parks (with her sights set on them all!) and is thrilled to now call western Colorado home. When not hiking, Sophie enjoys rowing, kickboxing, and road-tripping with her loyal black cat, Munchlax; named after the Pokémon and has traveled to 17 states alongside her!

About the Raptor Monitoring Project

We’re proud to support this 9-month internship through joint funding from CNMA and the National Park Service. Sophie’s work represents a vital step forward in the protection of wildlife within the monument.

The post Scientist in Parks Intern Jumpstarts Raptor Monitoring Program appeared first on Colorado National Monument Association.