Shannon Ogden co-anchors Denver7’s weeknight newscasts at 5, 6 and 10 o’clock. You can watch him weekdays at 5, 6 and 10 p.m.
DENVER — A new report from the National Parks Conservation Association claims parks staff are overwhelmed, facilities are deteriorating, and visitors don't have the services or protections they rely on.
According to the NPCA, the National Park Service has lost 24% of staff since President Donald Trump took office a second time, in part because 1,800 workers accepted buyout offers as part of the White House's effort to reduce the size of government.The NPCA claims the Trump administration has lagged on its pledge to hire 8,000 seasonal staff, with just over half of those positions filled so far, which has left the parks dangerously short on rangers, maintenance crews and emergency responders.The organization highlighted the following examples in its report:The fire management team is down to one person at Cumberland Island National Seashore in Georgia, limiting fire response efforts.Due to delays in contracts and seasonal hiring, Gateway National Recreation Area in New Jersey and New York reduced lifeguarded beach coverage.Zion National Park in Utah closed multiple fee stations, creating longer wait times at entry points.Multiple vacant permanent seasonal fee positions at Acadia National Park in Maine forced the park to reduce staffing at entrance stations and other fee collection points, resulting in longer wait times and reduced operating hours.Blue Ridge Parkway was forced to close its Rocky Knob Visitor Center in Virginia for the 2025 season due to staffing shortages.The Buffalo National River in Arkansas scaled back visitor services across the board with reduced hours at its entrance station and main visitor center. Ranger-led tours and school programming were also canceled.Visitor center and ranger station hours have been reduced at Denali National Park in Alaska.At times, entrance stations at Glacier National Park in Montana have gone unstaffed during normal hours, impacting recreation fee revenue that the park relies on to pay staff and visitor services.Denver7 anchor Shannon Ogden reached out to NPCA, and Theresa Pierno, president and CEO, provided the following statement:Ogden also contacted the Interior Department, which runs the National Park Service, for a response to those claims and to a similar story that ran in the New York Times.. Aubrie Spady, deputy press secretary for the Interior Department, issued the following statement:Colorado is home to four national parks: Rocky Mountain National Park, Mesa Verde National Park, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, and Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.Rocky Mountain National Park is among the most visited of the nation's 433 national parks.
Great Sand Dunes National Park And Preserve Mesa Verde National Park NPCA National Parks National Parks Conservation Association Rocky Mountain National Park Rocky Mountain National Park Staffing
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
National Park Service to waive entry fees to all its parks on MondayThe National Park Service is waiving entry fees to all its parks on Monday.
Read more »
Texas Parks and Wildlife is 'looking across the landscape of Texas' for new state parksThe parks department is buying and developing thousands of acres of private land for public use.
Read more »
Gutting Our National ParksStep 1: Ruin everyone’s national park experience.
Read more »
Coincidence and community: NYC's Association Association delights in connectionsFor more than a year, the group has been coming together to celebrate coincidence, happenstance and serendipity.
Read more »
10 must-see national parks around the world—from Yellowstone to the GalapagosNational parks around the globe bring in millions of visitors each year.
Read more »
Visitors warned not to feed bears at national parks amid increase in incidents: 'Bears learn quickly'The National Park Service warned that feeding bears can cause serious consequences including the 'euthanasia of the animal.'
Read more »