Colorado National Monument Association

The Colorado National Monument Association (CNMA) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1964 to support Colorado National Monument, a unit of the U.S. National Park Service in western Colorado. The association operates as a philanthropic and educational partner to the monument, raising funds through memberships, gift shop sales, and community events, and directing that support toward park programs, improvements, and conservation. Its stated mission is to provide financial support to Colorado National Monument through community engagement and gift shop sales, fostering knowledge, passion, and dedication that enable stewardship and preservation of the monument. CNMA describes its vision as creating a healthier ecosystem within the park boundaries and far beyond by supporting the monument and engaging the community. The organization reports that in a recent year it gave more than $150,000 in direct aid to the National Park Service, helped protect over 900 species and 20,500 acres, and trained more than 3,000 Junior Rangers. It also maintains a membership program with hundreds of members and organizes events such as the Monument on Tap series, guided hikes, and walks and talks. Beyond direct financial support, CNMA pursues larger initiatives, including the Confluence Center of Colorado, described as a collaborative land, water, and education hub at the confluence of the Colorado and Gunnison Rivers. The association is governed by a board and staff, works side-by-side with the National Park Service, and publishes annual financial reports including IRS Form 990 tax returns and financial statements. Its activities are centered on the Grand Valley community and visitors to Colorado National Monument.

The Colorado National Monument Association was founded in 1964, according to its official website, which states that "Way back in 1964, CNMA started a journey that has changed the landscape of Colorado National Monument and made it accessible to the world!" The organization was established to support Colorado National Monument, a national park unit in western Colorado known for its red rock canyons and mesas, and to share a love of the place with a diverse audience. Over the decades, CNMA has functioned as a nonprofit partner to the National Park Service, raising funds through memberships, gift shop sales, and community events. Its mission is to provide financial support to the monument through these channels, fostering stewardship and preservation. The association reports that it has given more than $150,000 in direct aid to the National Park Service in a recent year, helped protect over 900 species and 20,500 acres, and trained more than 3,000 Junior Rangers. CNMA organizes educational and recreational programming, including the Monument on Tap series, biology hikes, and walks and talks. It maintains a membership base of hundreds of members and publishes annual financial reports, including IRS Form 990 tax returns and financial statements, demonstrating transparency. In recent years, the association has pursued the Confluence Center of Colorado, a collaborative land, water, and education hub at the confluence of the Colorado and Gunnison Rivers, as a significant internal initiative. The organization continues to work side-by-side with the National Park Service and the Grand Valley community to support the monument.

• 2026

  Upcoming events include 'This Land is Your Land; This Land is My Land' on 09/26/2026 and Biology Hike in Echo Canyon on 10/15/2026.

• 2025

  CNMA reports giving over $150,000 in direct aid to NPS, protecting 900+ species and 20.5k acres, and training 3k Junior Rangers.

• 1964

  Colorado National Monument Association founded.

Nonprofit philanthropic and educational partner of the National Park Service for Colorado National Monument.

• Membership program

  Annual memberships that provide critical support for events, programs, and improvements within the monument, with exclusive perks.

• Gift shop sales

  Sales from the gift shop help fund support for Colorado National Monument.

• Educational programs

  Programs such as Junior Ranger training and educational opportunities.

1. 1Home - Colorado National Monument Associationcoloradonma.org
2. 2About - Colorado National Monument Associationcoloradonma.org
3. 3Current CNMA Financial Reports - Colorado National Monument Associationcoloradonma.org
4. 4Colorado National Monument Associationwikidata.org