SALT LAKE CITY — As it has in prior government shutdowns, the state of Utah is promising to keep its national parks open to visitors despite federal funds being cut off.

Because of the impact that closing Utah's "Mighty 5" would have on the economy, state leadership said in a statement Friday that it is committed to keeping the parks running should the clock run out in four days and a shutdown begin.

The Utah Office of Tourism said in 2024 that Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef and Zion national parks contributed $3.1 billion to the economy.

Those hearty numbers are why, in the past, state leadership has dipped into funds to keep the parks operating. Facing a shutdown in 2023, the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity earmarked $5 million to keep the parks running.

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