Two national parks in Colorado could see nearly $13 million for projects under a nationwide package of improvements announced by Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne today.

The funding still must be approved by Congress.

Separately, the National Park Service is seeking $256 million to improve maintenance, including 3,000 additional seasonal rangers and guides. That proposal has passed the House, but is awaiting action in the Senate.

Under the proposal announced today, Rocky Mountain National Park would receive $11 million for youth-oriented programs, including field seminars on subjects ranging from geology to wildlife, said park spokeswoman Kyle Patterson. Some of the funds would also create summer jobs for college-age youth from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The funds will also cover class trips to the park and learning materials for children age 6-12.

Mesa Verde National Park would receive $1.9 million to conserve archeological sites and to construct a visitor center.

Kempthorne, speaking at Yosemite National Park in California, announced that the Park Service is seeking funding for 201 projects at 116 national parks. The projects were selected from nominations by the Park Service staff.

The projects are part of a $2 billion, 10-year program of improvements.

The program will begin in 2008 if Congress approves the funding, which will be matched by private donors. Additional projects will be announced next year.

morsonb@RockyMountainNews.com or 303 954-5209