Snowfall, rockfall, road damage delay Mesa Verde reopening

Officials say it will take some time before Mesa Verde National Park reopens to the public despite President Donald Trump signing a bill that reopens the federal government for three weeks.

The Cortez Journal reports park public information officer Cristy Brown says “several large rock falls occurred on the main park road” during the shutdown, “causing damage to the road and guardrail.”

Brown says “Repairing the road damage and replacing the guardrail, along with substantial snow removal, are necessary to ensure visitor and staff safety prior to the park reopening.”

Brown says the park will reopen at 8:30 a.m. Monday, after repairs are complete and snow from a recent snowstorm is removed.

The visitor and research center at the entrance of the park also will reopen Monday.