Mesa Verde National Park has a rich history filled with tales of those who braved the cold winters and dry summers to survive. Next year, Colorado drivers will have the opportunity to pay tribute to that history by purchasing commemorative license plates that honor the national park.
Those who donate to the park through the program will receive a voucher that can be submitted to the Department of Motor Vehicles for a license plate commemorating Mesa Verde National Park.
The donation amount has yet to be finalized, but there will be a $50 fee going directly to the DMV to cover the highway user tax fund and the license fund, which covers the cost of making plates.
The one-time donation to the park may be around $30, said Elaine Gunnell, secretary for the board of directors of the Mesa Verde Foundation.
One-hundred percent of the money received from the sale of the plates will support capital campaign projects in the park.
Deciding what projects to work on will be determined by the priority list provided by the park superintendent.
To create a new license plate in Colorado, a petition must be signed by 3,000 people and a bill authorizing the creation of the special plate must be approved in the General Assembly.
Rep. Chris Hansen, a sponsor of the bill, said there are benefits to having the license plate besides the additional funding it provides.
“It’s a great way to raise awareness,” Hansen said. “It’s a great way for advertisement, both for the park and the foundation, and it’s a way it remains visible around the state, so I think that’s an added benefit.”
Gov. Jared Polis, who signed the bill May 29, called Mesa Verde a true gem.
“It preserves and honors the contributions of Colorado’s first residents and teaches us so much about the history of our state and country,” Polis said in a statement emailed to The Durango Herald. “We are fortunate to live so close to it, and now we will be able to memorialize it on our plates.”
Jerry Burk, treasurer for the Mesa Verde Foundation board of directors, said the foundation collected more than the required 3,000 signatures in case some of them turned out to be invalid.
The design of new license plates must be approved by the DMV.
The new plates are expected to become available at an unknown date next year.
“It’s just out of the goodness of their hearts that they’re (people buying the special plate) trying to help the foundation,” said Montrose Republican Sen. Don Coram.
bmandile@durangoherald.com
