Colorado Park to Repatriate Hopi Ancestors' Remains and Relics
Published Date: 4/23/2026
Notice
Summary
Mesa Verde National Park has finished checking its collection and found human remains linked to the Hopi Tribe. These remains, including hair and corn husks, came from Arizona and can be returned to the tribe starting May 26, 2026. If you want to request the return, you need to contact the park by then—no money changes hands, just respect and care.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Repatriation of Hopi‑Affiliated Remains
If you are a member of the Hopi Tribe or an eligible lineal descendant, Mesa Verde National Park has human remains (two long strands of human hair cordage and two corn husks with human hair matting) identified as affiliated with the Hopi Tribe of Arizona. The items came from the Canyon Diablo, Arizona area in 1900, were donated to the park in 1963, and repatriation may occur on or after May 26, 2026.
Who May Request and How
Written requests for repatriation must be sent to Kathryn Cook Collins at Mesa Verde National Park (P.O. Box 8, Mesa Verde National Park, CO 81330 or the listed email). Requests may be submitted by any of the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations identified in the notice, or by a lineal descendant or tribe/organization not identified who shows by a preponderance of the evidence that they are entitled. If competing requests are received, Mesa Verde National Park will determine the most appropriate requestor; joint requests are treated as a single request.
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