News Release

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument Is Modifying Operations To Implement Local Health Guidance

Date: March 27, 2020
Contact: Jeff Wolin, [phone] ext. 202

Florissant, CO – Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, in response to guidance from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, is announcing additional modifications to operations to support federal, state, and local efforts to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

As of Saturday, March 28, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument will offer limited services outside those that support visitor or resource protection. At Florissant Fossil Beds, the following services and operations will be suspended in order to comply with the Colorado order:

• The visitor center, visitor center parking lot, and adjacent picnic area and pit toilets will be closed.

The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners at Florissant Fossil Beds is our number one priority. The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide with federal, state, and local authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic. We will notify the public when we resume full operations and provide updates on our website (www.nps.gov/flfo) and social media channels.

All the Monument’s trails remain accessible to the public in accordance with the latest federal, state, and local health guidance, in addition to entry fees being waived for visitors. Pets are not allowed on the Monument’s trails. Service dogs that are specifically trained to perform a task to assist a person with a disability are permitted on a leash.

• Access to the Monument’s trails is available at the Hornbek Homestead parking lot and the Barksdale picnic area. There are no restroom facilities available.

The NPS encourages people who choose to visit Florissant Fossil Beds during this pandemic to adhere to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state and local public health authorities to protect visitors and employees. As services are limited, the NPS urges visitors to continue to practice Leave No Trace principles, including pack-in and pack-out, to keep outdoor spaces safe and healthy.

Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus. Please check with individual parks for specific details about park operations. www.nps.gov