News Release

Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site Is Modifying Operations To Resume Ranger Programs

Date: May 21, 2020
Contact: Teri Jobe, 719-729-3003

Eads, CO –Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site is announcing modifications to operations to implement the latest guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), and local and state authorities. As of 05/22/20, Sand Creek Visitor Centers and WNPA Park Stores remain closed until further notice. The remainder of the park, however, will be open during regular hours; Thursday through Monday, 9am to 4pm.

Beginning Friday, May 22, Ranger talks will resume at 10am and 2pm on Monument Hill. Ranger talks will last approximately one hour and begin promptly at the times listed. Visitors attending the talks will be asked to maintain social distancing guidance and remain 6 feet away from other visitors. Families and groups of 5 people or less may be seated together. To ensure program clarity, rangers may choose not to wear a mask during the program itself, and visitors would then be asked to maintain an additional 4 feet of distance from the ranger. Rangers will be available for questions following the program.

The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners at Sand Creek is our number one priority. The National Park Service (NPS) is working with the federal, state, and local authorities to closely monitor the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. We will notify the public when we resume full operations and provide updates on our website and social media channels.  

The NPS urges visitors to do their part when visiting a park and to follow CDC guidance to prevent the spread of infectious diseases by maintaining a safe distance between yourself and other groups; washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze; and most importantly, staying home if you feel sick.
For high-risk populations, such as the elderly and people with underlying conditions, we ask that they take extra caution and follow CDC guidance for those at higher risk of serious illness.

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


About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 419 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.