Rangely museum’s request leads council to draft annual Dominguez–Escalani Expedition Day

Dan Fiscus, vice president of the Rangely Outdoor Museum, asked the council to declare Sept. 9 as a recurring Dominguez–Escalani Expedition Day to coincide with a museum exhibit and the town’s September Fest parade. Fiscus said the museum received a $7,500 grant from History Colorado and expects the exhibit to cost about $10,000, with much of the material donated.

"We received a grant from uh, History Colorado for $7,500," Fiscus told the council, describing plans to outfit participants in period costume and to include horses in the parade. He also said the museum is documenting local rock art tied to the 1776 Dominguez–Escalani journal and would like an official day to increase awareness and press the BLM to allow interpretive access to the site when appropriate.

Council members discussed whether the county should adopt a broader declaration but noted the marker and museum are inside town limits. Council member Tim Weber moved and Jimmy Dylan seconded a motion to have staff draft a resolution proclaiming Sept. 9, beginning in 2026, as Dominguez–Escalani Expedition Day in Rangely. The motion carried with all members voting in favor.

The council advised staff to route the draft through the town manager and town attorney for review and to return the resolution for final approval and the mayor’s signature. Fiscus said the museum plans modest commemoration events and to participate in the September Fest parade; he offered to provide flags and materials for display.

Next steps: town staff will prepare a draft resolution for a future meeting and work with museum volunteers on promotional plans and any required coordination with the Bureau of Land Management and local tribes for interpretive access to nearby rock-art sites.