DENVER, Colo. — National parks are fully opened and back to pre-shutdown staffing after the longest government shutdown in U.S. history came to an end Wednesday. Now, the real work begins.

All 63 national parks, including the four in Colorado, remained open during the 43-day shutdown, but with limited services.

Scripps News Denver anchor Shannon Ogden spoke with the senior vice president for government affairs for the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) Friday about how the parks got through the extended shutdown.

"Parks weren't fully prepared to be shut down for that long. We saw friend groups jumping in and states jumping in to even pay to keep visitors centers open," said Kristen Brengel.

Stephanie Butzer/Denver7

Brengel adds that some parks were overwhelmed because the

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