Colo. National Monument name in play

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GRAND JUNCTION, Colo., May 9 (UPI) -- Colorado legislators are considering renaming the Colorado National Monument to avoid confusion for tourists, some of whom expect to see a statue.

Changing the status of the area between Fruita and Grand Junction from a monument to a national park was up for consideration, but opponents said they believe it would mean the federal government would have more involvement in running it, The Denver Post reported Wednesday.

U.S. Sen. Mark Udall, D-Colo., and U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton, R-Colo., have asked a committee to discuss the name-change option as a way to avoid confusion. So far, Colorado Canyons National Monument and Red Rock Canyons of the Colorado National Monument have been considered, the newspaper said.

The hope is using the word "canyons" would give visitors a better idea of what to expect.

"It's a branding issue. And maybe a name change will take care of a branding issue," said Ken Henry, co-chairman of the committee.

Changing the name of the Colorado National Monument would take an act of Congress, the Post reported.