John Otto Climbs Independence Monument

Colorado National Monument was the brainchild of one far-thinking man—John Otto. It was preserved as a national monument in 1911 largely through his efforts. This trailblazer, promoter, patriot, outdoorsman, and climber settled in Monument Canyon in 1906, living in a tent below Independence Monument. In 1907 Otto wrote, “I came here last year and found these canyons, and they feel like the heart of the world to me. I’m going to stay and build trails and promote this place, because it should be a national park.”