Acquisition of private land in Yellow Jacket Canyon will face environmental analysis and public comment
Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, west of Cortez, could grow by 647 acres. (Journal file photo)
Canyons of the Ancients National Monument is looking to add 647 acres by purchasing a private property inholding in Yellow Jacket Canyon.
The 176,000-acre monument west of Cortez contains the highest known archaeological site density in the United States with well-preserved evidence of Native American cultures.
However, the proposed purchase conflicts with the Montezuma County Board of County Commission stance against losing private land to federal agencies without an equal allocation of…
