The dedication of the Mesa Verde National Park Visitor and Research Center.
Tribal Administrator of Pueblo Zia, Peter Pino adresses the crowd on hand Thursday for the dedication of the Mesa Verde National Park Visitor and Research Centerat the Park entrance east of Cortez. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald.
Crowds gather Thursday morning in front of the Mesa Verde National Park Visitor and Research Center awaiting the arrival of Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper and others for the dedication of the center. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald
An overflow crowd was on hand to witness Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper speak during the dedication of the Mesa Verde National Park Visitor and Research Center Thursday morning from within a tent set up for the event in front of the center. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald
Dignitaries cut the ribbon completing the dedication of the Mesa Verde National Park Visitor and Research Center Thursday Morning. From the left is John Wessels, Director, Intermountain Region, National Park Service, Louise Hurlbut, Board of Directors, Mesa Verde Foundation, Colorado House Representative District 58's Don Coram, Mesa Verde National Park Superintendent Cliff Spencer, Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, Former Superintendent of the park Larry Wiese, 11 year old Juan Pablo Pino and Pueblo Zia Tribal Administrator Peter Pino. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald
Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper congratulates Mesa Verde National Park Superintendent Cliff Spencer after a ribbon cutting ceremony dedicating the new Visitor and Research Center at the park Thursday morning. To Spencer's left is Don Coram, Colorado House of Representatives. District 58 and Louise Hurlbut, Board of Directors of the Mesa Verde Foundation. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald
Cliff Spencer, Superintendent of Mesa Verde National Park introduces speakers at the dedication ceremony for the Mesa Verde National Park Visitor and Research Center Thursday. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald.
John Wessels, Director, Intermountain Region for the National Park Service, left, takes the podium after being introduced by Mesa Verde National Park Superintendent Cliff Spencer during the dedication of the Mesa Verde National Park Visitor and Research Center Thursday morning. Photo, Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald.
Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper addresses the crowd on hand for the dedication of the Mesa Verde National Park Visitor and Research Center Thursday morning from within a tent set up for the event in front of the center. Behind Hickenlooper is Louise Hurlbut, Board of Directors , Mesa Verde Foundation and Tribal Administrator of Pueblo Zia, Peter Pino. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald
John Wessels, Director, Intermountain Region for the National Park Service, center, is congratulated by former Mesa Verde National Park Superintendent Larry Wiese during the dedication of the Mesa Verde National Park Visitor and Research Center Thursday morning. Joining Wessel is Louise Hurlbut, Board of Directors, Mesa Verde Foundation and Mesa Verde National Park Superintendent Cliff Spencer. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald
Andrew Hudgins, Clean Cities Project Manager for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory speaks during the dedication of the Mesa Verde National Park Visitor and Research Center. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald.
Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper pauses to speak with former U.S. Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell, left and Ute Mountain Ute Tribe Chairman Gary Hays as Don Coram, Colorado House Representative District 58, looks on prior to the dedication ceremony of the Mesa Verde National Park Visitor and Research Center Thursday morning. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald.
