Mesa Verde considers cell tower By Mary Ann Lopez , Herald Staff Writer

If a cellular tower is installed at Mesa Verde National Park, visitors to the park’s famous cliff dwellings may soon be able to describe 12th century kivas to friends in New York skyscrapers, either to the dismay or delight of other tourists.

Although cellular service acts as a security blanket for some, others say cell phones are a nuisance that should be checked at the gate and kept out of national parks. …

”Can a cell tower be placed in Mesa Verde National Park that ensures the protection of the cultural resources and the natural resources for the preservation of those for future generations? That is the bottom line,” [Patty Trap, Mesa Verde’s chief of planning] said. …

[C]ellular phone towers have turned up in at least 15 other national parks nationwide.