Videos

 

Welcome to Colorado National Monument

Heart of Time, released in 2022, is an introduction to the natural and cultural history of the Monument that can be viewed in person at the Saddlehorn Visitor Center.

 

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  Heart of Time

  Learn about the unique human history, wildlife, and geology of Colorado National Monument in this twenty-minute introductory film.

  Duration:

  20 minutes, 18 seconds

 

Nature Investigations

These longer videos (six to nine minutes in length) offer mini-lessons related to academic standards that learners can engage with in a classroom, but any visitor can watch and maybe learn something new about Colorado National Monument!

 

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  Nature Investigation: How Do Biocrusts Help a Desert?

  Join ranger Sam in an investigation of Colorado National Monument. We'll learn about biological soil crusts and how they play an important role in a desert ecosystem.

  Duration:

  8 minutes, 30 seconds

 

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  Nature Investigation: How did Canyons Get Here?

  Join Ranger Nicholas on an investigation at Colorado National Monument. Along the way we will explore the interaction between land and sky, and learn about weathering and erosion.

  Duration:

  6 minutes, 29 seconds

 

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  Nature Investigation: Why Are Pinyon Pines Dying?

  Learn about the four ways to identify a pinyon pine tree infested with ips beetles.

  Duration:

  7 minutes, 23 seconds

 

Minute In It

This series offers one-minute immersive experiences in various parts of Colorado National Monument. Enjoy as a short mindfulness moment or to get an idea about a trail.

 

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  Minute In It - Fruita Canyon

  Duration:

  1 minute

 

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  Minute In It: Canyon Rim Trail

  Check out the views and scenery along Canyon Rim Trail

  Duration:

  1 minute

 

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  Minute In It - Coke Ovens Trail

  Enjoy the unique geology and scenery along the Coke Ovens Trail.

  Duration:

  1 minute

 

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  Minute In It: Historic Trail

  Take a moment to enjoy the view from the Historic Trail

  Duration:

  1 minute

 

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  Minute In It: Alcove Nature Trail

  A moment of zen along the Alcove Nature Trail

  Duration:

  1 minute, 13 seconds

 

#RockTipsThatDigDeep

Originally released for Earth Science Week 2021, this five-video mini-series might just rock your world. Each one-minute video highlights a unique feature of Colorado National Monument and offers thoughtful reflection on our outstanding geology.

 

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  Independence Monument - #RockTipsThatDigDeep

  What can we learn about togetherness from this solitary rock formation?

  Duration:

  52.6 seconds

 

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  Fruita Monocline - #RockTipsThatDigDeep

  What's a monocline, and how does it relate to handling stress?

  Duration:

  58.8 seconds

 

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  Precambrian Rock - #RockTipsThatDigDeep

  What can Colorado National Monument's oldest rock layer teach us about resilience?

  Duration:

  57.933 seconds

 

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  Wingate Sandstone - #RockTipsThatDigDeep

  What can three rock layers reveal to us about weathering life's storms?

  Duration:

  57.2 seconds

 

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  Redlands Fault - #RockTipsThatDigDeep

  What’s the connection between uplift, increasing temperatures, and taking care of our friends?

  Duration:

  59 seconds

 

Desert Partners

These video shorts describe symbiotic relationships in the high desert. Produced in partnership with 2022 summer interns from Colorado Mesa University.

 

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  The Yucca & the Moth - Desert Partners

  The yucca plant and the yucca moth depend on each other for survival.

  Duration:

  2 minutes, 10 seconds

 

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  The Pine & the Jay - Desert Partners

  The pinyon pine tree and pinyon jay depend on each other for survival.

  Duration:

  2 minutes

 

Miscellaneous

These videos can be referenced as needed by their users.

 

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  Field Trip Pre-visit Video

  Check out this video on preparing for your upcoming field trip!

  Duration:

  2 minutes, 12 seconds

 

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  Makers Moment - Biological Soil Crust

  Join Ranger Sam in a guided lesson and hands-on craft. You'll learn about biological soil crust, and how it supports the transfer of energy in an ecosystem. Then you can follow along to build your own model of cyanobacteria - the ROCKSTAR ingredient in soil crust.

  Duration:

  6 minutes, 54 seconds

 

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  #WriteOut at Colorado National Monument

  A Ranger Spark video from Colorado National Monument to inspire you to create and write during the 2021 #WriteOut event

  Duration:

  1 minute, 43 seconds

 

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  Winter Connections at Colorado National Monument

  Winter, a season often connected with scarcity, is a landscape of abundance at Colorado National Monument. If you can’t make it in person, may this video serve as your peek into the snowy canyons. | Starring: NPS/Burton | Narrated, written, edited, produced by: NPS/Scarborough | Footage by NPS/Scarborough | Track: The Unexplored | Music by https://www.fiftysounds.com | AD Narrator: CNMA/vanWaveren | Many thanks to Mesa County Libraries for recording at 970West Studio.

  Duration:

  2 minutes, 7 seconds