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Glenwood Springs hails National Natural Landmark designations
There is yet another reason to put Glenwood Springs, Colorado on your next adventure bucket list.
U.S. Secretary of the Interior Debra Haaland announced Glenwood Caverns and Iron Mountain Hot Springs have together been designated a National Natural Landmark.
The designation cites the millions of years of geologic history in the location and their unique cave ecosystems.
“Glenwood’s caverns and hot springs are iconic Colorado treasures,” said U.S. Senator Michael F. Bennet.
“I am pleased to see them recognized as a National Natural Landmark and appreciate the Beckleys’ ongoing efforts to preserve these valuable resources for future generations.”
The National Natural Landmarks (NNL) Program was created in 1962 to recognize and support the conservation of sites that represent natural heritage.
The program now includes more than 600 designated sites that contain outstanding examples of biological or geological features.
Landmark sites are deemed nationally significant based on their condition, illustrative character, rarity, diversity and their value to science and education.
In 1999, Steve and Jeanne Beckley purchased the property and vowed to conserve and preserve the caverns.
“We are honored by the National Natural Landmark designation and so happy to continue to offer guests the opportunity to experience these natural wonders,” said founder and owner Steve Beckley.
The Beckleys applied for the NNL designation ten years ago, not yet understanding the full extent of how the site’s karstic components relate to each other.
Through the NNL program process it was discovered that the downcutting of the Colorado River into the Leadville Limestone created unique ecosystems within Iron Mountain.
Both the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park caves and Iron Mountain Hot Springs are habitats for species adapted to live in the extreme environments of the hot springs.
These includes eight native troglobites (fully cave-adapted species) and a diversity of microbes and 38 unique types of bacteria.
The National Park Service works in partnership with landmark to recognize and support conservation of nationally significant sites.
Iron Mountain Hot Springs has 32 different pools, two cafes and a newly added 21+ adults only section called WorldSprings.
It features a cold plunge pool, a Dead Sea Pool and a waterfall freshwater pool.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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