List of national natural landmarks in Colorado

A map of the United States of America with the State of Colorado highlighted.

This is a list of National Natural Landmarks in the U.S. state of Colorado.

There are 16 National Natural Landmarks in Colorado, one of which extends into Wyoming. They cover areas of geological, biological and historical importance, and include lakes, mountains, rock formations and numerous fossil sites. The landmarks are located in 14 of the state's 64 counties. Four counties each contain all or part of two NNLs, while two landmarks are split between two counties. The first two designations, Slumgullion Earthflow and Summit Lake, were made in 1965, while the most recent designation, Sulphur Cave and Spring, was made in 2021.[1][2][3] Natural Landmarks in Colorado range from 60 to 380,000 acres (24.3 to 153,780.5 ha; 0.1 to 593.8 sq mi) in size. Owners include private individuals and several municipal, state and federal agencies.[4]

The National Natural Landmarks Program is administered by the National Park Service, a branch of the Department of the Interior. The National Park Service determines which properties meet NNL criteria and, after notifying the owners, makes nomination recommendations. The Secretary of the Interior reviews nominations and, based on a set of predetermined criteria, makes a decision on NNL designation or a determination of eligibility for designation. Both public and privately owned properties can be designated as NNLs. Owners may object to the nomination of the property as a NNL.[5] This designation provides indirect, partial protection of the historic integrity of the properties via tax incentives, grants, monitoring of threats, and other means.[6]

  1. ^ "National Registry of Natural Landmarks" (PDF). National Park Service. June 2009. pp. Introduction, 15–17. Retrieved 2013-08-02.
  2. ^ "Interior Secretary Jewell Designates New National Natural Landmark" (PDF). National Park Service. November 17, 2016. Retrieved 2016-11-17.
  3. ^ "High Plateaus, Smelly Caverns, and Coastal Dunes, Meet the Nation's Newest Natural Landmarks (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2021-04-19.
  4. ^ "Colorado". National Park Service. June 28, 2012. Retrieved 2014-01-06.
  5. ^ "36 CFR Part 62: National Natural Landmarks Program, Final Rule" (PDF). Federal Register. May 12, 1999. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-02-17. Retrieved 2013-08-02.
  6. ^ "Frequently Asked Questions". National Park Service. Retrieved 2013-08-02.

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