Greater Chaco Cultural Landscape named one of 11 most endangered American historical places

Added: 2026-05-27

[00:00:00]A new designation that the All Pueblo Council of Governors hopes will protect a sacred site in Northwestern New Mexico. Today, the group announced the Greater Chaco Cultural Landscape has been deemed one of America's 11 most endangered historic places in 2026 by the National Trust of Historic Preservation. It is an important signal to all of us.

[00:00:22]It tells the country it tells the world that what is happening at Chaco matters.

[00:00:29]The organization is a non-profit dedicated to preserving America's most historic places. The designation comes as the Trump administration is considering revoking protections to Chaco that were finalized in 2023. Those protections placed a 20-year pause on any new oil and gas leasing on federal lands within 10 miles of Chaco National Park. It was the product of years of consultation, environmental reviews, and organized advocacy of Pueblo people.

[00:00:59]Today, that protection is under threat.

[00:01:01]This isn't the first time the Chaco Landscape has made the National Trust's list. The first was in 2011. Governor of Tesuque Pueblo, Mark Mitchell, says that highlights how fragile these protections can be. The protections that we have secured can be undone.

[00:01:18]It tells us that the work of safeguarding the landscape is not finished.

[00:01:23]And it tells us why permanent protection is so critical. Governor Mitchell adds it sends a message far beyond New Mexico that ancestral landscapes of indigenous peoples are part of the American story.

[00:01:36]Not a footnote.

[00:01:38]Not curiosity, but centralized. Pueblo leaders hope the designation draws more national and global attention and inspires more people to get involved in advocating for the UNESCO Heritage Site, especially as they criticize what they call an expedited public comment process and lack of cultural and environmental reviews. I know there's give and take.

[00:02:01]It has to be in negotiations.

[00:02:03]But, get us to the table. Talk with us.

[00:02:06]Sit down with us. Michaela De Pauli, KRQE News 13.