[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 110 (Friday, June 23, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E611]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RETIREMENT OF DARLA SIDLES, ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK SUPERINTENDENT

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                            HON. JOE NEGUSE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 23, 2023

  Mr. NEGUSE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the legacy and 
retirement of Darla Sidles, the first female Superintendent of Rocky 
Mountain National Park.
  For the last seven years, Darla has been in charge of managing and 
supervising all operations within Rocky Mountain National Park--the 
Nation's fourth busiest national park--an area I am lucky to represent 
in the United States Congress. Rocky Mountain National Park surpassed 4 
million visitors for the first time the year before she took over, and 
it has exceeded 4 million almost every year since,
  Darla has helped Rocky Mountain National Park navigate unprecedented 
challenges like record levels of visitors, the global pandemic forcing 
a closure of the park in 2020, and then another closure of the park 
that same year as a result of Colorado's two largest wildfires ripping 
through Rocky Mountain and burning about 10 percent of the park. 
Through it all she remained dedicated to improving and protecting our 
treasured public lands.
  Darla has served at the National Park Service for 34 successful 
years. She has been a trusted and valued partner to my office and to 
the Town of Estes Park. We are sad to see Darla go, but wish her a 
happy retirement.

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