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Colorado's Mesa Verde National Park, a surprisingly short drive for Wasatch Front residents, is preparing for the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service with some special events.

The 80-square mile park preserves the villages and objects hand-built by ancient civilizations. It is famous for its cliff dwellings, some of which can be visited by travelers.

The park will host a lecture called "Happy Birthday, National Parks Service, 100 years of birth and growth of America's Best Idea" August 19 at 7 p.m. in the Chapin Mesa Museum auditorium.

On August 25, the actual date of the centennial, a one-hour Curation Tour of the mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center is scheduled. The tour is limited to 15 people. To register, call 970-529-5074.