The raging wildfire that has indefinitely closed Mesa Verde National Park is further crippling Montezuma County’s tourism industry, which was already suffering from low numbers this season, officials say.

The Montezuma County Commission cited the loss in business and sales-tax revenues caused by the Bircher Fire and the park’s closing as one reason for declaring a state of emergency Monday morning.

The resolution, sent to Gov. Bill Owens as a pre-requisite for obtaining further firefighting resources from the National Guard, states that closure of Mesa Verde National Park is having a severe impact on the local economy.

The request for disaster aid also says that dry conditions and fire-fighting crews and equipment stretched to their breaking point justify the need for more crews and equipment, including five Blackhawk helicopters and five C-130’s.

The commission hopes the state-of-emergency declaration will pave the way for more low-interest, small-business loans for business-owners dependent on the tourism industry that this year has been hurting.

"It is our prime economic base, and now it has been shut down," said Commissioner Kent Lindsay. "On the plus side, every fire crew has a buying team that heads into town to pick up supplies, and they need a lot of supplies."

"A lot of business owners are telling us that this summer has already so far been pretty marginal, and now this," said Cortez Mayor Joe Keck.

City Manager Hal Shepherd echoed that sentiment. "Tourism is down, and now it will take a nose dive."

Lynn Dyer, umbrella tourism coordinator for southwest Colorado, has organized a series of informational meetings to discuss the impact of the fire on the region’s main economic base, and what can be done to mitigate the problem.

As smoke and ash clog the views and tourists leave town after being turned away from Mesa Verde National Park, the economic future looks grim for southwest Colorado.

"It is looking to be a very long winter for those impacted by this," Commissioner Gene Story said.