Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park has its own dramatic cliffs Lydia Mansel is a writer with more than eight years of experience editing and writing for both brands and online publications—with a particular focus on travel She’s also the founder of the travel site justpacked.com Many travelers want to find dupes of the most famous parks that offer similar attributes with fewer crowds especially this summer due to recent layoffs and hiring freezes at the National Parks Service Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is a good dupe for the Grand Canyon Please select what you would like included for printing: Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application leaving behind cherished memories and a legacy that will be remembered by all who knew him Scott led a life rich with passion and dedication He grew up and worked on the family farm with his brother sister and father where he learned the importance of hard work He graduated from Gunnison Valley High School worked many years at Satterwhite and also a career as a truck driver His work not only defined a significant part of his life but also reflected his commitment to providing for his family Scott's vibrant personality shone through in all that he did His adventurous spirit continued into adulthood; he enjoyed water skiing His love for the outdoors was matched only by his passion for riding motorcycles and hiking he attained this distinguished honor alongside his brother Jeremy marking a significant achievement in his youth having belonged to a band during his twenties He was known for his kind and gentle nature who were drawn to him and adored him in return He was born to Hal Standley and RaDene Anderson Pickett and is survived by his beloved family Scott was married to Tiffany Maughn on August 20 a union that ended with her passing on July 15 He later married Jenny Roberts in December 2016 adding a new chapter to his life that brought him joy and adventurous spirit will be missed by many but his legacy of love and laughter will remain etched in the hearts of those fortunate enough to have known him 2025 at 11:00 am in the Centerfield Ward Chapel 2025 from 6:00 - 7:00 pm and prior to services on Thursday from 9:30 - 10:30 am at the church Interment will be in the Gunnison Cemetery Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors Builders Close Builders Open Builders Brick Exterior Close Exterior Open Exterior Building Materials Brick Blend Gunnison River HT Join Our Newsletter Email Subscribe Connect with Us { rootMargin: '200px 0px 200px 0px' } ); lazyloadBackgrounds.forEach( ( lazyloadBackground ) => { lazyloadBackgroundObserver.observe( lazyloadBackground ); } ); }; const events = [ 'DOMContentLoaded' ]; events.forEach( ( event ) => { document.addEventListener( event lazyloadRunObserver ); } ); x {{{ data.variation.variation_description }}} {{{ data.variation.price_html }}} {{{ data.variation.availability_html }}} Sorry Occurrence values are defined below. One or more Occurrence Tags may be associated with each Occurrence value Probably Present: High confidence species occurs in park but current Unconfirmed: Species is attributed to park but evidence is weak or absent Not In Park: Species is not known to occur in park Occurrence Tags Adjacent: Species is known to occur in areas near to or contiguous with park boundaries False Report: Species was reported to occur within the park but current evidence indicates the report was based on misidentification or other similar problem of error or interpretation Historical: Species' historical occurrence in park is documented Assigned based on judgment as opposed to determination based on age of the most recent evidence Native: Species naturally occurs in park or region Non-native: Species occurs on park lands as a result of deliberate or accidental human activities Unknown: Nativeness status is unknown or ambiguous The Checklist contains only those species that are designated as "present" or "probably present" in the park The Full List includes all the checklist species in addition to species that are unconfirmed or incorrectly reported as being found in the park The full list also contains species that are "in review" because their status in the park hasn't been fully determined Additional details about the status of each species is included in the full list The checklist will almost always contain fewer species than the full list Visit NPSpecies for more comprehensive information and advanced search capability. Have a suggestion or comment on this list? Let us know Golden-mantled ground squirrels (Spermophilus lateralis) are one of three squirrel species present in the park Their typical size is 9 to 12 inches (23 to 30 cm) These squirrels are reddish-tan colored with two lateral white and black stripes along its sides and woodlands and burrow in rock outcrops or underground Golden-mantled ground squirrels are omnivores and eat mostly of leaves Since these squirrels' frequent areas where humans are visitors should keep food stored properly and not feed any wildlife Mountain lion (Puma concolor) are the largest predators in Black Canyon They can also be known as pumas or cougars Mountain lions can weigh up to 200 pounds (91 kg) and be 8 feet (2.4 m) long Their fur is a tan-brown color with a white throat and hind legs make them agile jumpers are lethal hunters These animals are generally solitary, and males travel alone. They have large seasonal territories that move with migration of prey, such as elk and deer herds. Mountain lion sightings are rare, but visitors should be aware of safety guidelines around them Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) are found throughout western North America They occur in a variety of habitats – from open deserts to mountains to developed urban areas Mule deer are slightly larger and heavier than white-tailed deer Adults can weigh up to 100 pounds (females) and 300 pounds (males) Males (bucks) have antlers used to fight other male competitors during mating season or the “rut.” mule deer are usually seen along trails in dense brushy areas Mule deer are particularly active at dawn and dusk Visitors should drive with caution and pay attention along roadways to avoid collisions with wildlife Animals live in different habitats from canyon rim to river and require specific lifestyles to be successful Learn about safely viewing wildlife in the park Download the NPS app to navigate the parks on the go Gunnison & Chaffee Counties — The Colorado Department of Transportation will perform week-long culvert replacement operations on US Highway 50 approximately 23 miles east of Gunnison (Mile Points 181 to 182) motorists will be guided through the work zone by temporary traffic signals The signals will be in place 24 hours a day and motorists should plan for full stops and up to 20-minute delays during daytime working hours through Friday CDOT urges motorists to plan ahead and allow for additional travel time on US 50 between Salida and Gunnison CDOT crews will work as swiftly as possible to complete the culvert replacement however operations are weather dependent Travelers are urged to “know before you go.” Gather information about weather forecasts and anticipated travel impacts and current road conditions prior to hitting the road The following tips are to help you stay safe while traveling through maintenance and construction work zones  Contact CDOT The Central Utah Correctional Facility in Gunnison opened in 1989 The Gunnison prison is split in three housing facilities: Henry The facility offers a variety of opportunities for inmates life skills courses and Utah Correctional Industries work programs (Sign Shop The South Sanpete School District oversees the prison’s high school education program Snow College offers vocational training programs Inmates with substance use issues may participate in the HOPE (Help Offenders Parole Effectively) program The vast majority of employees live in the Six-County region (Juab with more than half living in Sanpete County The Elm housing unit consists of six sections Elm can house a total of 192 inmates (32 inmates per section) maximum-security unit for “level two” inmates each capable of housing 32 double-bunked inmates (for a total capacity of 192 offenders) Inmates have access to programming and educational packets with one to 4 cells out at a time in each section for safety and security Inmates have regular access to medical staff case managers and the Offender Management Review team They are encouraged to volunteer for work assignments and other activities to demonstrate positive behavior and thus progress to a medium-security unit Fir is a dormitory-style unit capable of housing up to 288 inmates The unit has six sections Each section consists of four smaller pods of 12 beds Gale is a dormitory-style unit capable of housing up to 288 inmates Inmates here are enrolled in the STRIVE (Success Through Responsibility STRIVE is a volunteer program which has been shown to increase success in education and productivity management problems and reduced recidivism Inmates on the unit typically have a sense of pride in their accomplishments Hickory is a Restrictive Housing Unit for “level two” inmates with one cell out at a time in each section for safety and security Birch and Cedar units contain three housing sections bringing the total capacity to 192 (or 96 double-bunked cells) All three housing units house general population inmates The sections are closely managed by the Offender Management Review team with regular interviews to address behavior and productivity This careful management keeps violence and other problems to a minimum inmates may be eligible to participate in programming The Offender Management Review team strives to effectively manage this population and keep the housing section relatively quiet The Dogwood housing unit has seven sections and can house 82 inmates at capacity camera-equipped cells that allow officers to monitor occupants 24 hours a day This section has a capacity for up to 10 inmates The cells are used for anything from inmates who have been issued a temporary restraining order or have been given administrative segregation due to behavior Inmates may be held here for a night or several nights prior to a Board of Pardons and Parole hearing being moved to a county jail or being brought from a county jail to the prison for such reasons as medical or dental treatment Because inmates are here for short-term stays they do not have the ability to engage in programming or recreation new to prison or back on a parole violation who are going through the Receiving & Orientation process These inmates are closely monitored while they go through this process Once they are classified they wait in this section for their housing assignments single bed camera-equipped cells that allow officers to monitor occupants 24 hours a day The cells are primarily used to house inmates who have demonstrated extreme behavior This section consists of two single bed camera-equipped cells built with a positive air-flow system The cells are designed for inmates who have a communicable disease or an infection that may be transmitted through the air These inmates are monitored by medical staff When not in use for their designated purpose the cells may be used to house inmates with behavior problems The unit is set up as a therapeutic community where inmates work on a highly structured treatment plan for 12 months or more The program’s therapeutic design intentionally uses a positive peer culture and environment morals of “right living” and pro-social core values are reinforced with privileges The HOPE clinical staff and Fir security staff serve as role models to the program’s residents HOPE is aimed at helping inmates live clean inmates leave the program with tools necessary to avoid re-engaging in problem behaviors HOPE includes a thorough relapse prevention component that enables recovering addicts to live cautiously knowing their next relapse could be around the corner A companion goal in HOPE’s behavior modification program is the recognition and elimination or reduction of criminal thinking and anti-social behavior after a return to the outside community Inmates who successfully complete the program may be eligible for a sentence time cut from the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole An official website of the United States government Open Search  Mobile Menu < All Press Releases — The Bureau of Land Management unveiled resource management plans this week to protect big game and Gunnison sage-grouse habitat in Colorado conserve public lands and focus energy development in areas with the highest potential for oil and gas resources in the BLM Upper Colorado River District The Bureau released Records of Decision for the Big Game Resource Management Plan Amendment the Gunnison Sage-Grouse Resource Management Plan Amendment and plans for the Grand Junction and Colorado River Valley Field Offices The finalization of these plans resolves litigation on past planning processes “The BLM worked tirelessly with local governments and other stakeholders over the past two years to find an appropriate balance which is achieved with the completion of these plans,” said BLM Colorado State Director Doug Vilsack “BLM is at the forefront of wildlife conservation in Colorado by aligning oil and gas management in big game habitat with strong State rules and advancing a separate plan that will limit disturbance in the habitat of the threatened Gunnison sage-grouse.” BLM also analyzed disturbances from other land uses in considering cumulative impacts. This will help BLM continue to work with the state and other partners to enhance big game conservation while balancing the need for new outdoor recreation and energy development opportunities. More information is available on the BLM National NEPA Register BLM also amended 11 RMPs in Colorado and Utah to protect Gunnison sage-grouse habitat on more than two million acres of BLM-managed public land and nearly three million acres of public subsurface mineral estate. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service designated Gunnison sage-grouse as a threatened species in 2014 and approved a final recovery plan in 2020 Protections in BLM’s new plan include a one-mile buffer around Gunnison sage-grouse habitat as well as the designation of a new backcountry conservation area and three new areas of critical environmental concern. Surface disturbance will also be limited on BLM lands in Gunnison sage-grouse habitat. More information on the Gunnison sage-grouse plan can be found at the BLM National NEPA Register Updates to the Colorado River Valley and Grand Junction Field Office RMPs make approximately 85% of acres with high potential open for future oil and gas leasing, while low and medium potential areas are largely closed to leasing. The plans also add new areas where management will focus on protecting wilderness characteristics. More information on these plans can be found on BLM National NEPA Register The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations An official website of the Department of the Interior Climate change and the parks National Parks in Crisis Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park has moved to a cashless operation/NPS file Your cash is no good at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park which is only accepting mobile or electronic payments for entrance the park staff says transition to electronic payment is safer Credit and debit sales already represent as much as 95 percent of in-person sales in the park Cash handling costs include park rangers’ time counting money most of which is remedied through cashless sales A legal challenge to the cashless policy nationally was revived last month with an amended complaint that specified the constitutional and statutory issues that the Park Service allegedly violates with the cashless policy After downloading the app and creating an account simply scan the QR code at the campground to complete the payment the park’s cooperating association that runs the park store in the South Rim Visitor Center Partial proceeds from purchases assist park operations with education and interpretation efforts the updated filing pointed out that the general counsel for the Internal Revenue Service advised the agency that it must "accept cash for payment citing the very law defendants continue to violate Plaintiff simply asks this court to uphold it and re-establish plaintiff's right to tender government currency at Hyde Park or any other national park." Congress created the Legal Tender Statute that "allows the use of Federal Reserve Notes as legal tender for all private charges and public fees including the entrance fee at NPS locations (including Hyde Park) that don’t accept cash."  Support Essential Coverage of Essential Places A copy of National Parks Traveler's financial statements may be obtained by sending a stamped self-addressed envelope to: National Parks Traveler National Parks Traveler was formed in the state of Utah for the purpose of informing and educating about national parks and protected areas Residents of the following states may obtain a copy of our financial and additional information as stated below: National Parks Traveler is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit Here’s the definitive guide to National Park System campgrounds where RVers can park their rigs Our app is packed with RVing- specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 national parks.You’ll also find stories about RVing in the parks tips helpful if you’ve just recently become an RVer National Parks Traveler is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit media organization Dark skies are beautiful and scientifically valuable Humans have been contemplating their meaning for centuries The National Park Service and its partner organizations invite you to discover the night sky through a series of astronomy programs AstroFest provides the opportunity for visitors to experience this threatened resource and learn about how important it is to protect This year will highlight the night skies along the Gunnison River corridor AstroFest has been made possible through our partnerships with Learn more about protecting dark night skies in national parks and at home Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park "preserves an area encompassing spectacular gorges and breathtaking landscapes by protecting its natural and wilderness integrity for public benefit The 15,599-acre (6312 hectares) Black Canyon of the Gunnison Wilderness includes 11,180 acres (4524 hectares) designated by Congress in 1976 (Public Law 94-567) and an additional 4,419 acres (1788 hectares) added in 1999 (Public Law 106-76) when the monument was redesignated as national park. Today, the park is approximately 51% federally designated wilderness and another 10,000 acres (4046 hectares) is undeveloped backcountry The wilderness area is bordered by the Gunnison Gorge Wilderness 17,700 acres (7162 hectares) to the northwest managed by the Bureau of Land Management It was designated under the same law (Public Law 106-76) that increased the wilderness acreage of Black Canyon of the Gunnison Wilderness such as connection with nature and finding inspiration can be experienced at all levels of this vertical landscape Cultural and historical connections to this wilderness landscape are significant Lands now managed as wilderness are the homelands of indigenous peoples since time immemorial Human use of wilderness areas has happened for thousands of years Within the park's designated wilderness and non-wilderness areas indigenous populations used resources on the canyon rims They may also have used the inner canyon and river but massive historic floods have left little to no evidence of this use Wilderness is more than just an additional protection status. Wilderness offers social, cultural, and ecological benefits rooted in wilderness character preservation and human-powered recreation opportunities Wilderness belongs to everyone and has different meaning and significance to each visitor Wilderness is identified as one of the fundamental resources and values in the park foundation document rugged inner canyon makes up about half of the wilderness area the boundary reaches beyond the canyon rim It is both accessible and remote; all visitors can experience this wilderness in different ways To protect the inner canyon wilderness and visitor experience important regulations and guidelines are in place Various documents guide the management of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park Learn more about wilderness managed by the National Park Service Black Canyon has more than 650 species of vascular plants The park has vegetation communities that are both representative of the geographic region and unique within its boundaries The park lies within the Dry Domain (climate classification) and supports montane (mountain) Forests and shrublands are the dominant vegetation as well as some grassland and rock outcrops The canyon rims are predominantly pinyon-juniper forests and scrub oak Douglas-fir and Colorado blue spruce grow on the canyon’s north facing slopes occur along the river at the canyon bottom and mountain mahogany are the dominant shrubs on the canyon rims and uplands Some sagebrush and rabbitbrush are also present are present in the uplands and inner canyon The distribution of vegetation is driven by elevation Ecoregions The park is mostly within the Semiarid Benchlands and Canyonlands of the Colorado Plateau Ecoregion but the canyon continues east into the Sedimentary Mid-Elevation Forests of the Southern Rockies Ecoregion Diverse plant communities are found here due to the topographic variation and elevation differences in short distances A small number of rare plant species are either known or suspected Pinyon-juniper forest and scrub oak dominate the landscape Other stands of deciduous and coniferous trees exist Wildflowers grow on both the canyon rim and inner canyon Six species of succulents found on the Colorado Plateau are present at Black Canyon Invasive species can disrupt native ecosystems Life zones are ecosystems found at different elevations Black Canyon is known for its vertical landscape; various life zones exist from the canyon rim Plants and animals within each life zone are adapted to its conditions This striking difference is mainly due to the amount of sunlight hitting the walls This determines the amount of freeze-thaw erosion occurring on each wall The continuous cycle of freezing and thawing water—expanding and contracting within the canyon walls—weakens rocks and causes them to break off or erode Since the south-facing wall receives more direct sunlight the north-facing wall is in shadow much of the day causing more freeze-thaw and increased erosion Roots help to break up rock and make soil as well Creeks and rivers create wetland areas as they weave their way through the arid landscape of the Colorado Plateau The Gunnison River has been cutting through the hard rock of the Black Canyon for about two million years its powerful waters continue to sculpt the smooth Precambrian rock Water loving plants cling to the edge of the river Rainbow and Brown trout inhabit the river's chilly waters Box elder (Negundo aceroides) and Narrow-leaf cottonwood (Populus angustifolia) crowd the riverbank Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) tower over surrounding trees the Narrow-leaf cottonwood nears seeds that drift through the air and float downstream they must locate a sunny place that is wet with sand or gravel to continue their life cycle flies over shallow rapids or runs along the riverbed with half-open wings Presence of the North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) indicates a healthy river ecosystem Learn about the plant communities that thrive on the canyon rim — Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is now using a fully cashless payment system camping and parking fees via mobile or electronic payment system First-come, first-served camping opportunities are available through the Scan and Pay option within the Recreation.gov mobile app. Once a visitor has the app downloaded and an account created they can scan the QR code at the campground to pay The park said the app works in remote areas with no mobile service The Scan and Pay feature allows visitors to pay offline and then the transactions are processed once their device is back online reduces transaction times and allows for reservations and prepayment Cash payments require park rangers to spend time counting money the park said rangers can instead invest time and money into other work the park said credit and debit sales already account for as much as 95% of in-person sales which runs the store in the South Rim Visitor Center And it's common practice for visitors to pay for entrance fees and advanced camping reservations online or with the mobile app at hundreds of National Park Service Army Corps of Engineers sites through the country Denver7 is committed to making a difference in our community by standing up for what's right lending a helping hand and following through on promises By Aspen AndrewsPublished: Apr 2025 at 4:22 AM MDTEmail This LinkShare on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInGUNNISON (KKTV) - The National Park Service said human remains were recovered in an area of Black Canyon within Gunnison National Park during an operation on Sunday Park Rangers said the remains of Denver man Jordan Marsters were found in a remote and highly technical wilderness area of Black Canyon Marsters’s family reported him missing to the Denver Police Department on Feb Officials said Marsters was then linked to an abandoned vehicle at Black Canyon Park Rangers said Capitol Reef National Park’s Recovery Team Colorado National Monument’s Recovery Team Curecanti National Recreation Area’s Overhead and Recovery Team Montrose County Sheriffs Office Investigative Unit Friends of Black Canyon Search and Rescue Volunteers’ Contingency Team and Mountain Blade Runner Helicopters assisted in the search and recovery Under the Gunnison Public Lands Initiative the mesa would become part of the the Lake Gulch / Cebolla Creek SMA Supporters of the GORP Act include: Ute Mountain Ute Tribe Gunnison Valley OHV Alliance of Trail Riders (GOATs) Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District Gunnison Sustainable Tourism Outdoor Recreation Committee and others.* Supports applies only to the portion of the bill in their county and development are putting unprecedented stress on our natural resources The outdoors’ importance for recreation and as a refuge for our local communities has never been greater The GORP Act is carefully designed to protect the values that Gunnison Basin residents and Coloradans cherish long into the future The legislation will help protect existing uses while also ensuring the future vitality of the region’s landscape While conversations about long-term protection have been ongoing in the region for decades local stakeholders with wide-ranging interests have coalesced around a common vision in recent years Now is the moment to ensure that the Gunnison Basin’s incredible natural and cultural heritage is preserved for generations to come After several years of collecting public proposals the Gunnison County Commissioners assembled local stakeholders to develop a common vision for the future of public lands in Gunnison County This working group of local stakeholders became known as the Gunnison Public Lands Initiative (GPLI) collectively agreed upon by the members of GPLI guided the coalition’s discussions and the creation of their final proposal: Recognizing the unique and diverse values of public lands in the Gunnison Basin the GORP Act establishes six different types of public land designations each designed to carefully fit the values of the lands and community All of the special designation areas in the GORP Act would help protect their natural each also emphasizes some uniquely important values The types of designations and the values they emphasize are: Protection Areas: protecting natural and undeveloped character Recreation Management Areas: providing for and improving the management of recreation resources for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations Rocky Mountain Scientific Research and Education Area: encouraging and preserving the conditions necessary for natural science research and education and providing opportunities for the use of continually emerging techniques and methodologies in the conduct of such research and education Wilderness: preserving and protecting the natural ecosystems and wild areas and providing opportunities for solitude and retrospective or primitive recreation Wildlife Conservation Areas: conserving and restoring wildlife and wildlife habitat Supporters of the GORP Act include: Ute Mountain Ute Tribe *  Supports applies only to the portion of the bill in their county A Wilderness Study Area (WSA) is a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) administrative designation The BLM must manage WSAs to retain their Wilderness character until Congress makes a final determination on whether they should be included in the National Wilderness Preservation System The GORP Act proposes that Congress make such a determination by designating a portion of the Powderhorn WSA as Wilderness and releasing the remaining portions for more flexible management as part of the proposed Powderhorn Wildlife Conservation Area Write to Michael Get Help with a Federal Agency Visiting DC ©2024 U.S. Senate. All Rights Reserved.  |  Privacy Policy These landscapes—from sagebrush shrublands to old-growth pinyon-juniper forests—are facing increasing pressures that cause plant communities to shift and expose various conservation challenges The answers to these questions can present options for informed management NCPN uses a structured monitoring approach to track ecosystem changes. A pilot study (2008–2010) refined methods leading to 153 permanent monitoring plots across different elevations and vegetation types researchers have revisited these sites every five years surveying up to 45 plots annually to measure plant cover and other key indicators (Figures 1 and 2) Fieldwork occurs in late spring and summer when plants are most active and soil conditions using standardized methods These data show how ecosystems respond to grazing Long-term monitoring at BLCA and CURE shows that while some ecosystems remain resistant to change others are experiencing shifts in plant composition and water availability that may impact habitat and ecosystem health While overall shrub and total grass cover remained stable native grasses declined at an annual rate of -0.33% Pinyon-juniper woodlands remain relatively stable and invasive species like cheatgrass—while not yet widespread—could increase fire risk by adding dry fuel (Figure 4) Large fires in similar landscapes have turned forests into shrublands emphasizing the need for ongoing monitoring and fire prevention canopy closure decreasing by 1.6% per year and seedlings unable to mature due to heavy browsing (Figure 5) While non-native plants like Kentucky bluegrass are widespread but the forests' long-term survival is uncertain at the lower edge of their climate range Gambel oak shrublands remain stable despite environmental stressors (Figure 6) native grasses have declined by 5% since 2011 while forb cover—especially in wetter years—has increased These shrublands appear resistant but understory components may shift with long-term climate changes Water availability is a major driver of ecosystem change Drier conditions were linked to a reduction in native grass cover in most vegetation types at BLCA and CURE As temperatures rise and precipitation patterns shift water shortages will likely continue to influence these landscapes Protecting BLCA and CURE’s upland ecosystems requires targeted conservation strategies to manage grazing and water scarcity while sustaining habitat quality and resilience Sagebrush shrublands remain vital for the Gunnison sage-grouse Managers can help support sagebrush by monitoring grazing impacts from livestock and native ungulates maintaining allotment boundary fences to prevent trespass and prioritizing the protection of resilient areas with low non-native plant cover Pinyon-juniper woodlands are in good condition Managers can protect high-value woodlands from fire and continue to monitor and control for cheatgrass Aspen forests are struggling as fewer saplings reach maturity due to browsing and changing climate conditions Managers can identify areas most likely to support aspen in the future while preparing for inevitable shifts in vegetation but consistent decline in cool-season native perennial grasses across vegetation types warrants concern Managers should consider this functional group as vulnerable when making decisions regarding livestock grazing and wildlife management Water scarcity is shaping vegetation trends across the region Park managers can track water deficit trends and incorporate water availability into conservation planning to help mitigate ecosystem stress and prepare for future drought conditions Ongoing conservation efforts will give native species a better chance to persist ensuring BLCA and CURE’s upland ecosystems remain resilient in the face of change Information in this article was summarized from Livensperger C. 2025. Vegetation and Soil Trends, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Curecanti National Recreation Area, 2011–2022 Receive emails when new obituariesare published to our website Top hats were in fashion and people connected through telegrams rather than texts And the need for family and friends to come together Planning your funeral in advance means your family won’t have to when the time comes >>LEARN MORE Services that honor the individual and provide peace of mind for families >>SEE OUR SERVICES Unparalleled care at every step with unique and personalized memorial services >>SEE OUR SERVICES Chapman Funerals & Cremations - Bridgewater Chapman Funerals & Cremations - East Bridgewater Chapman Funerals & Cremations - Falmouth Chapman Funerals & Cremations - Harwich Funeral Home Chapman Funerals & Cremations - Harwich Chapman Funerals & Cremations - Marstons Mills Chapman Funerals & Cremations - Martha’s Vineyard Chapman Funerals & Cremations - Mashpee Chapman Funerals & Cremations - Wareham Chapman Funerals & Cremations - West Falmouth Funeral Home Chapman Funerals & Cremations - West Falmouth Chapman Funerals & Cremations - Yarmouth © Chapman Funerals & CremationsSupported by SRS Computing Your browser may not work with certain site. Upgrade now. Invasive grasses tend to thrive in areas with high N deposition displacing native vegetation adapted to low N conditions Increases in N have been found to promote the spread of fast-growing non-native annual grasses (like cheatgrass) and forbs (like Russian thistle) at the expense of native species (Brooks 2003; Allen et al N may also increase water use in plants like big sagebrush (Inouye 2006) Given the abundance of base cations in underlying park soils and rocks surface waters in BLCA are generally well-buffered from acidification steep-sided canyon walls in the park have little ability to retain nutrients and water limiting the landscapes to buffer acidic run-off that may discharge to the inner canyon (Sullivan et al Epiphytic macrolichens grow on tree trunks they obtain all their nutrients directly from precipitation and the air Many epiphytic lichen species have narrow environmental niches and are extremely sensitive to changes in air pollution Epiphytic lichen communities are less diverse in arid areas Forest Service national survey to develop critical loads of nitrogen (N) and critical loads of sulfur (S) to prevent more than a 20% decline in four lichen community metrics: total species richness (2021) used forested area from the National Land Cover Database to estimate the impact of air pollution on epiphytic lichen communities Forested area makes up 83 km2 (66%) of the land area of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park For exceedances of other lichen metrics and the predicted decline of lichen communities see Appendices A and B of McCoy et al Additional modeling was done on 459 lichen species to test the combined effects of air pollution and climate gradients (Geiser et al A critical load indicative of initial shifts from pollution-sensitive toward pollution-tolerant species occurred at 1.5 kg-N ha-1 yr-1 and 2.7 kg-S ha-1 yr-1 even under changing climate regimes Plants vary in their tolerance of eutrophication and acidification and some plant species respond to nitrogen (N) or sulfur (S) pollution with declines in growth Forest Service national forest survey to develop critical loads of N and critical loads of S to prevent declines in growth or survival of sensitive tree species (2019) used a database of plant community surveys to develop critical loads of N and critical loads of S to prevent a decline in abundance of sensitive herbaceous plant species Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park contains: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park has 70.2 km2 of coniferous forests and 47.5 km2 of broadleaf forests the minimum CL is exceeded in 0% of forested area and the maximum CL is exceeded in 0% of forested area based on 2019-2021 TDep Total N deposition Estimated total nitrogen and sulfur deposition levels from 2000-2002 (top) compared to the 2019-2021 (bottom) average at BLCA Estimated values were developed using the National Atmospheric Deposition Program - Total Deposition (TDep) approach that combines measured and modeled data Estimated values are valuable for analyzing gradients of deposition and the resulting ecosystem risks where monitors are not present Pollutants like mercury and pesticides are concerning because they are persistent and toxic in the environment These contaminants can travel in the air thousands of miles away from the source of pollution even depositing in protected places like national parks while some of these harmful pollutants may be banned from use historically contaminated sites continue to endure negative environmental consequences When deposited, airborne mercury and other toxic air contaminants are known to harm wildlife like birds and fish, and cause human health concerns Many of these substances enter the food chain and accumulate in the tissue of organisms causing reduced reproductive success The NPS Air Resources Division reports on park conditions and trends for mercury. Visit the webpage to learn more. Fish consumption advisories may be in effect for mercury and other contaminants (NPS 2022) average natural visual range is reduced from about 175 miles (without the effects of pollution) to about 140 miles because of pollution The visual range is reduced to below 95 miles on high pollution days At ground level, ozone is harmful to human health and the environment Ground-level ozone does not come directly from smokestacks or vehicles but instead is formed when other pollutants mainly nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds The tree species ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) is at risk of 7% biomass deficit in seedlings The tree species quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) is at risk of 5% biomass deficit in seedlings Recent ozone levels in the park exceed critical levels that protect this species Tree species Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) is at low risk from ozone despite its known sensitivity Recent ozone levels in the park are below critical levels that protect these trees from 5% biomass deficit Ozone critical levels are for tree seedlings, which represent the regenerative capacity and long-term stability of sensitive species within a forest. These tree species are also known to be sensitive to ozone as adults (Bell et al. 2020) but critical values for seedling growth do not predict ozone effects on mature trees Air Resources Division is currently working with collaborators to establish critical levels for mature trees using data from forest monitoring plots Visit the NPS air quality conditions and trends website for park-specific ozone information There are 47 other Park Air Profiles covering parks across the United States and its territories Binkley et al. 1997. Status of Air Quality and Related Values in Class I National Parks and Monuments of the Colorado Plateau. Chapter 5. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. National Park Service, Air Resources Division, Denver, CO. Available at https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/167034 Clark, C.M., Simkin, S.M., Allen, E.B. et al. Potential vulnerability of 348 herbaceous species to atmospheric deposition of nitrogen and sulfur in the United States. Nat. Plants 5, 697–705 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41477-019-0442-8 Assessing Ecological Risks from Atmospheric Deposition of Nitrogen and Sulfur to US Forests Using Epiphytic Macrolichens Horn KJ, Thomas RQ, Clark CM, Pardo LH, Fenn ME, Lawrence GB, et al. (2018) Growth and survival relationships of 71 tree species with nitrogen and sulfur deposition across the conterminous U.S.. PLoS ONE 13(10): e0205296. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0205296 Effects of shrub removal and nitrogen addition on soil moisture in sagebrush steppe Kohut R.J. 2007. Ozone Risk Assessment for Vital Signs Monitoring Networks, Appalachian National Scenic Trail, and Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail. NPS/NRPC/ARD/NRTR—2007/001. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado. Available at https://www.nps.gov/articles/ozone-risk-assessment.htm Kohut, B. 2004. Assessing the Risk of Foliar Injury from Ozone on Vegetation in Parks in the Northern Colorado Plateau Network. Available at https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2181489 McCoy K., M. D. Bell, and E. Felker-Quinn. 2021. Risk to epiphytic lichen communities in NPS units from atmospheric nitrogen and sulfur pollution: Changes in critical load exceedances from 2001‒2016. Natural Resource Report NPS/NRSS/ARD/NRR—2021/2299. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado. https://doi.org/10.36967/nrr-2287254 [NADP] National Atmospheric Deposition Program. 2018. NTN Data. Accessed January 20, 2022. Available at http://nadp.slh.wisc.edu/NADP/ [NPS] National Park Service. 2022. Fish Consumption Advisories. https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fishing/fish-consumption-advisories.htm Porter, E., Blett, T., Potter, D.U., Huber, C. 2005. Protecting resources on federal lands: Implications of critical loads for atmospheric deposition of nitrogen and sulfur. BioScience 55(7): 603–612. https://doi.org/10.1641/0006-3568(2005)055[0603:PROFLI]2.0.CO;2 Effects of nitrogen deposition on an arid grassland in the Colorado plateau cold desert Air quality related values (AQRVs) in national parks: Effects from ozone; visibility reducing particles; and atmospheric deposition of acids Natural Resource Report NPS/NRSS/ARD/NRR—2016/1196 – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) invites public land enthusiasts everywhere to join in celebrating the 25th anniversary of Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area (NCA) and Wilderness the nearly 63,000-acre NCA was established on Oct 1999 to recognize and protect the area’s outstanding natural “The establishment of this national conservation area 25 years ago involved tremendous community support,” said BLM Colorado State Director Doug Vilsack “The BLM manages this special place to protect its cultural along with abundant opportunities for recreation Rafting the Gunnison River is a personal highlight for me from the thrill of maneuvering the rocky rapids of the gorge to the tranquility of floating the calmer waters downriver.” The NCA stretches from Delta County in the north to Montrose County in the south just east of Colorado Highway 50 and encompasses diverse scenic landscapes ranging from desert shrub and sagebrush lowlands to highly eroded adobe badlands to piñon-juniper woodlands adorning the slopes At the heart of the NCA lies the spectacular rugged canyon of the Gunnison Gorge Wilderness a 17,700-acre treasure that showcases about 1.7 billion years of geologic history from the ancient metamorphic and igneous rock of the steep-walled inner gorge to the younger sedimentary layers lining the upper walls and rim While Gunnison Gorge is well known for world-class trout fishing, challenging whitewater rafting, and flatwater paddling, visitors can also explore over 225 miles of trails by foot, horseback, mountain bikes, and off-highway vehicles. Camping and stargazing are popular activities as well, with the NCA recently being certified as an International Dark Sky Park Local community partners come together to offer volunteer opportunities and youth education programs including Cottonwood Days which just celebrated sixteen years of offering hands-on educational activities to area sixth graders about riparian resources along the Gunnison River MONTROSE, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management has finalized a supplementary rule implementing decisions pertaining to motorized and non-motorized travel, day-use areas, camping, and seasonal wildlife habitat in the Tres Rios Field Office and the Silverton area of the Gunnison Field Office The rule applies to BLM-managed public lands in Archuleta excluding public lands within Canyons of the Ancients National Monument These measures respond to growing visitation by restricting certain activities and defining allowable uses in special management areas to provide for visitor health and safety and prevent degradation of natural and cultural resources “The BLM worked closely with the local communities to develop plans with a shared vision for managing a wide range of public land resources and resource uses,” said BLM Southwest District Manager Stephanie McCormick “This supplementary rule implements decisions that support the unique quality of life enjoyed by our Southwest Colorado communities.” MONTROSE, Colo. — The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public input on an enhanced air quality analysis for two oil and gas developments in western Gunnison County The additional analysis has been completed in response to a District Court decision directing the BLM to complete further review and to ensure consistency with evolving case law and state and federal policy The Bull Mountain Unit Master Development Plan and the Dual Operator 5-Pad Proposal involve 55 private and 171 federal wells on 38 new and existing well pads The 2017 environmental impact statement for the Bull Mountain Master Development Plan estimated more than 600 jobs and $115 million in economic impacts over the life of the project.  “BLM is completing this updated analysis to ensure we consider impacts from developing oil and gas resources allowing resources to be developed in an environmentally responsible manner,” said Southwest District Manager Stephanie McCormick Consistent with Executive Order 14154 “Unleashing American Energy,” oil and gas development on public lands helps meet the energy needs of U.S citizens and solidify the nation as a global energy leader long into the future Three people died and 55  were severely injured in 264 crashes between 2018 and 2022 Rather than expand the highway to accommodate more cars, however, local officials are boosting public transportation service and will use the federal grant to help fund safety improvements — many of which are aimed at pedestrians and transit users “I think that people in our community would much rather see new traffic calming and safety installations …  before we would want to contemplate or need a widening of the highway,” Gunnison County Commissioner Jonathon Houck said in an interview.  the Gunnison Valley’s strong ranching community — and the land those ranchers own that abuts the highway — wouldn’t mesh with a wider Cattle drives still routinely happen on the highway “Getting beyond two lanes on 135 would really seriously impact the character of the Gunnison Valley,” Houck said Local governments recently commissioned a detailed look at the highway that recommended $19 million in safety-focused changes to the road the construction of missing sidewalks near bus stops in Gunnison and curb extensions at the busy intersection of Highway 135 and U.S Also planned is a $3 million pedestrian tunnel near a bus stop just south of Crested Butte that would allow the future residents of a proposed 252-unit affordable workforce housing development to safely cross the highway.  Separately, the county is also planning a new multimodal trail on a 7.5-mile stretch along Highway 135 between Crested Butte and a housing development to the south.  The federal government announced 10 other safety-focused grants to other Colorado communities this week as well including $6.7 million for infrastructure changes in downtown Denver You want to know what is really going on these days We can help you keep up.  The Lookout is a free daily email newsletter with news and happenings from all over Colorado Sign up here and we will see you in the morning Colorado Postcards are snapshots of our colorful state in sound. They give brief insights into our people and places, our flora and fauna, and our past and present, from every corner of Colorado. Listen now. © 2025 Colorado Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy Airborne pollutants can be deposited in the park by wet (rain or snow) and dry (dust The NPS ARD monitors nitrogen and sulfur deposition; either of these compounds in excess can be problematic for ecosystem health such as the canyon rim of Black Canyon and surrounding ridges can be more sensitive to nitrogen deposition Nitrogen and sulfur can also accumulate in rivers This contributes to acidification and negative impacts to aquatic life and adjacent ecosystems Clean air is critical for clear views of park scenery and historic landscapes Learn about park-specific air quality data The Gunnison River drops around 2,100 feet (640 m) through 14 miles (22.5 km) of canyon in the national park The Gunnison River headwaters start at the confluence of the Taylor River and East River Snowmelt feeds tributaries to the Gunnison River from the West Elk Mountains The river was previously known as the Grand River in addition to other names before the mid-1800s It was renamed after John Williams Gunnison army officer who led expeditions to find a railroad route through the Rocky Mountains and Black Canyon When the park was established first as a National Monument in 1933 the Gunnison River was free-flowing through the canyon the Gunnison River is dammed to create the Wayne N Aspinall Unit is one of the four main units of the Colorado River Storage Project (CRSP) a project to provide water storage for the Upper Colorado River Basin states of Colorado Even the most experienced boaters must portage and the river touches canyon walls in some places Riparian vegetation is minimal due to powerful spring peak flows scouring the narrow canyon bottom Red Rock Canyon a tributary near the western park boundary flows into the Gunnison River before it continues into the Gunnison Gorge National Recreation Area (BLM) and Uncompahgre rivers flow into the Gunnison River before Dominguez Canyon the river eventually empties into the Colorado River Colorado Encyclopedia. “John W. Gunnison.” Accessed November 18, 2024. https://coloradoencyclopedia.org/article/john-w-gunnison Redmond, Zachary. “Wayne Aspinall Unit Colorado River Storage Project.” Bureau of Reclamation, 2000. https://www.usbr.gov/projects/pdf.php?id=87  Wild and Scenic River Study and Final Environmental Statement  U.S. Geological Survey. “Geology of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.” Accessed November 18, 2024. https://www.usgs.gov/geology-and-ecology-of-national-parks/geology-black-canyon-gunnison-national-park Weissinger, R. and Gibney, N. 2019. Status and trends in water quality at Curecanti National Recreation Area and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, 2001–2014. Natural Resource Report. NPS/NCPN/NRR—2019/1858. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado  The Gunnison River flows through the Black Canyon of the Gunnison Life zones are present throughout the park - from the Gunnison River to the canyon rim High water releases from Crystal Dam are expected to occur throughout late May and well into June Peak water flow is predicted to approach 8,000 cubic feet per second through the main gorge of Black Canyon causing fluctuations in depth and velocity throughout the day Fishing on the Gunnison within Black Canyon will be very difficult due to the increased flow rate through the canyon wading in the river will be extremely hazardous campsites in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (including Red Rock Canyon) Movement upstream and downstream from river accesses will be very limited or impossible Check with rangers at the visitor center if you are planning a trip into the canyon USGS River Gauge - Gunnison River Below the Gunnison Tunnel: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/co/nwis/uv?cb_00065=on&cb_00060=on&format=gif_stats&period=7&site_no=09128000 Bureau of Reclamation – Aspinall Unit      http://www.usbr.gov/uc/water/crsp/cs/asp.html https://www.nps.gov/blca https://www.nps.gov/cure “Most folks visit Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area during the daytime—as there's great fishing and trail riding to do then—but for those who remain after dark a whole different experience presents itself,” said NCA Manager Edd Franz “Sleeping out under the stars can be one of the most peaceful and meaningful ways to experience this special place I'm incredibly pleased to have the Gorge certified as a Dark Sky Park and proud of the BLM's commitment to conserving western Colorado's dark skies.” In order to earn Dark Sky Park certification and dedicated volunteers documented the quality of the night skies by taking readings over a period of time at various locations across the Gunnison Gorge NCA Volunteers also took photographs highlighting the visibility of the Milky Way confirming that the NCA has zero artificial lights within its boundaries A light management plan was developed to guide future outreach and education about conserving the dark sky resource numerous outreach and education events were conducted—with more planned—to promote the effort toward certification and beyond